GREENSBORO, N.C. — Two gang members linked to the death of a 9-year-old child in Durham were sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday in an emotionally taxing day at a federal courthouse in Greensboro.
Davenport’s sentencing was delayed by several hours after an outburst in court led court marshals to remove him from the courtroom. Davenport also spit at a court official.
Prosecutors said Davenport’s gang mistook the family’s SUV as one belonging to a rival gang with Davenport having exchanged threatening messages on Instagram the day prior. Davenport was known as a rapper who goes by “Lil Tony” before the shooting.
Derrick Dixon was also sentenced to life in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Iverson said evidence pointed to Dixon firing the fatal shot.
Ashley Ragland, Z’yon’s mother, was grateful for a semblance of justice to come over the case three years after her son’s death.
“My baby got justice,” said Ragland. “He’s not here. I’m going to forever be in pain. But to know they’re going for life – that’s what makes me happy.”
Hours into Tuesday’s proceeding, Davenport yelled profanities at U.S. Assistant District Attorney Joanna McFadden, saying that she didn’t know what she was talking about. Multiple court marshals then intervened to restore order.
His eruption caused family members to yell as well. They responded by saying, “We know you didn’t kill that boy!”
More than a dozen family members of Z’yon Person were in the courtroom, many wearing shirts with his photo and “Justice for Z’yon.” Davenport had several family members in court as well.
Dr. Tobias Straube, the doctor who treated Z’yon at Duke University Hospital, recalled details about the traumatic night when he entered the emergency room.
“I was focused on leading the resuscitation,” Straube said. “I recall the mother falling to the ground multiple times … overcome with grief, shock, terror.”
Ragland spoke and described Z’yon as compassionate, a boy who enjoyed basketball, football, school and his younger brother.
“When I had a bad day, he would come up to me and just hug me,” she said. “[And] tell me how much he loved me.”
Davenport, a local hip-hop star with The 83 Babies, faces two life sentences. His group has recorded several songs about gang violence and guns.
McFadden said that before Z’yon was shot, there had been a fight at Streets of Southpoint Mall and Davenport’s pride was hurt. She said the fight was over a piece of jewelry and Davenport was seeking revenge.
Davenport then broke into a profanity-laden tirade, saying the prosecutor “don’t know what … you’re talking about.”
A federal judge then pointed out that Davenport responded more harshly to McFadden’s statement about the jewelry than any of the emotional statements given by the victim’s family.
When sentencing continued after a hours-long delay, Davenport walked in with a clear bag over his head. The judge explained the bag was anti-spit hood since Davenport also spit at someone.
The judge mentioned that Davenport comes from a supportive, stable family. His mom is a nurse and he graduated from high school.
“It’s hard to imagine Mr. Davenport being involved in what he was involved with, start to finish,” said the judge. Davenport has a criminal record dating back to when he was 15, according to prosecutors. Davenport was previously convicted of second-degree burglary, felony larceny, and fleeing/eluding arrest in 2016. Dixon was convicted of multiple felonies in 2012, including robbery with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for December 20. Dival Magwood, the third and final defendant in the case, will be sentenced in Greensboro on Wednesday.
McFadden added she hopes people see the court takes this gang violence seriously.
“This completely indiscriminate violence is a daily occurrence in Durham,” she said.
Sam Rose witnessed the shooting, which happened right in front of her Durham home.
“We heard about 15 shots when it happened,” she told WRAL News in August 2019. “I saw what I thought was a motorcycle backfiring … and they were right in a row, clearly traveling down the street. “It was terrifying. It was probably over in about five seconds.”
In court, law enforcement officers testified that they found several loaded guns and ammunition in the apartment where Davenport was arrested.
“We got justice for Z’yon,” she said. “I’m just so happy right now. For the family, I want to say thank you, Jesus, and thank you for the team that put all of this together to make this happen. I just want to say, thank you.”
