Diante Davis

Diante Davis, a 30-year-old Black man known for his dedication to helping others, was a devoted father with a heart for his community. He had worked for four years as a mental health technician at the Team Wellness Center on Mack Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, a job his friends and family said he loved. His coworkers considered him a brother. Davis was a father who adored his children, and at the time of his death, his wife was pregnant with their son. He had previously experienced the loss of a twin daughter.

On the afternoon of March 30, 2022, Davis was at his job, protecting the center's vulnerable clients. At approximately 1:04 p.m., a man who had been asked to leave the premises earlier that day returned to an area in the back of the building where residents gathered. The man was not a patient at the facility but was known to the staff. Davis and his coworker and friend, Jaimond King, approached the man to de-escalate the situation.

According to Detroit Police, the man had his hand in his coat pocket. When the technicians asked him to show his hands, he drew a weapon and opened fire. King later recounted the terrifying moments: "He just reached in his jacket and just started shooting… he shot Diante first and then pointed and shot him two more times while he was on the ground." Davis was fatally wounded, and King was shot and critically injured. Another employee reportedly tried to chase the gunman, but he escaped on foot.

The Detroit Police Department (DPD) launched an investigation into the deadly shooting. A week later, on April 6, 2022, authorities publicly identified the suspect as 21-year-old Demetres Nathanial Johnson. They released his photograph and stated he was wanted for the murder of Diante Davis and the assault on the second guard. Police considered Johnson to be armed and dangerous and confirmed that multiple apprehension teams were actively searching for him.

The shooting left Diante Davis's loved ones, colleagues, and the wider community in shock and mourning. His friend and coworker, Andre Davis, who was not related by blood but considered Diante his "little brother," described the killing as senseless. "He did not deserve this right here. Not at all," he said. "He loves his people, he loves the community, he was just a good guy." A vigil was held to honor Diante's life, where friends and family gathered to remember the compassionate man who died protecting others.

Team Wellness Center released a statement expressing sorrow over the events and gratitude to staff and law enforcement. They noted they were working with police to understand the motive behind the attack. Jaimond King, the surviving technician, was expected to recover from his injuries.

As of the latest available reports from April 2022, the manhunt for Demetres Nathanial Johnson was ongoing. The Detroit Police Department asked for the public's help in locating him and offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information was urged to call Detroit police at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. The case remains unresolved, with Johnson's whereabouts unknown.