Jordan Davis' father heading to Missouri

Ron Davis to offer condolences to teen's family; will also urge town hall meeting

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As more clashes erupt between police and protesters in Missouri, the father of 17-year-old Jordan Davis said he's going to Ferguson, Missouri, to pay his respects to Michael Brown, the 18-year-old who was shot and killed by an officer.

Jordan Davis was shot and killed by Michael Dunn at a Southside gas station in 2012.

Ron Davis said he understands the pain and heartache Brown's family is going through because he's been in their shoes. Ron Davis said he's going to pay his condolences to Brown at his funeral, and also hopes to play a part in the community healing.

Ron Davis said he immediately thought of his own son when he learned about Brown's death. He said the same riots and looting could have occurred in Jacksonville if he and Jordan Davis' mom hadn't expressed how they wanted the situation handled.

"Me and my wife, and his mother thought about this and said, 'You know what, I don't want the legacy of Jordan Davis that we tore down and burned down Jacksonville,'" Ron Davis said. "So we got out in front, and I know all parents don't have the ability to get out in front of these things."

Ron Davis plans to fly to Ferguson on Friday. He's hoping to encourage the residents and leaders to hold a town hold meeting where real communication can take place. He said he learned through the death of his son that looting and violence isn't the answer.

"This one man, because he was a white man who (killed) my son, is not an indictment on all white people," Ron Davis said. "So I don't want you to go out and hurt other white people because of the color of their skin. I don't want you tearing up stores for my son. Sometimes you have to put blame where it's supposed to lay."

Ron Davis, who reached out to Brown's father, said he thinks protesters should obey the curfew so they will be taken seriously. But he said more than anything he feels for Brown's parents, who 10 days later still haven't buried their son.

"I remember in Jordan's case I just wanted to bury my son, I just wanted to put his body to rest," Ron Davis said.

When he returns to Jacksonville on Monday he'll have to face the man who killed his son in court again in a scheduled hearing for Dunn.


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.