Khiry Davis, a 30-year-old resident of Vallejo, California, tragically lost his life on September 13, 2020. The incident occurred in the 2200 block of Sacramento Street at Valle Vista Avenue, where Davis was shot by an unknown assailant while at a gas station. Upon arrival, Vallejo police officers found Davis inside the store, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Despite the efforts of officers and Vallejo Fire Department paramedics to revive him, Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Davis's death led to the arrest of Deleon Stephon Elijah McBride, a 33-year-old Vallejo man. McBride was initially charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter. This plea, entered on September 6, 2024, came just weeks before his scheduled jury trial. By pleading no contest, McBride did not admit guilt but chose not to offer a defense for the fatal shooting of Davis. Consequently, the murder charge was dismissed, and McBride was found guilty of the serious and violent felony of voluntary manslaughter.
McBride's criminal history played a significant role in his sentencing. As a previously convicted felon, he qualified for a 25-years-to-life sentence under California's "three strikes" law. Additionally, McBride admitted to a prior strike, a special allegation, his use of an assault weapon, and a prior conviction for robbery in 2012. These factors contributed to his 27-year prison sentence, which includes three years of parole supervision upon release. McBride remains in custody at the Stanton Correctional Facility in Fairfield, awaiting transfer to state prison.
The impact of Davis's death extended beyond the courtroom. His family, including the mother of his four children, Denisha Lewis, and his elderly mother, Loari Davis, expressed their profound grief and the lasting trauma caused by the incident. During the sentencing hearing, Lewis shared her pain and suffering, emphasizing the emotional toll on their children and herself. Loari Davis also spoke of the sleepless nights and the desire for justice for her son. The court acknowledged the far-reaching consequences of McBride's actions, highlighting how one decision can affect many lives.
The legal proceedings surrounding Davis's death were extensive. The Solano County District Attorney's Office filed its complaint against McBride on March 30, 2021, leading to his arrest on April 7, 2021, in Oakland. McBride faced multiple felony charges, including evading a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Despite the complexities of the case, the resolution through a plea deal brought some measure of closure to Davis's family, although the emotional scars remain.
