On Friday morning in Jacksonville, Florida, Michael Dunn
was convicted of killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis, whom he shot at a local gas station in November 2012 during an argument over loud music.
At the sentencing hearing, Lucia McBath and Ron Davis, Jordan's mother and father, gave gut-wrenching statements about their pain and loss.
Lucia McBath gave her statement first:
I remember the first day we brought Jordan home from the hospital a miracle child. For nine months, I fought to give this special child life. I remember asking God to keep him safe and out of harm’s way. I have said many prayers that he would be highly favored before God and man. I asked God that he would give him wisdom to navigate a world filled with uncertainty and danger. He was named after the river Jordan in the Bible.
As a child, he was inquisitive, full of life, fun-loving and a defender for those who couldn’t defend themselves. I miss telling him he has the perfect smile just like Grandma Davis.
For years to come, I will be forced to celebrate his birthday without his presence. As I quietly watch my friends’ boys grow into young men, I will forever be reminded of what might’ve been for my Jordan.
For me there will be no college graduation. For me there will be no daughter-in-law. For me there will be no grandchildren. For me, there will be no future generation to carry on the heritage of mine. For me, there is only the hope I cling to that I will walk hand-in-hand with Jordan again when I come home to heaven to rest.
I choose to forgive you Mr. Dunn for taking my son’s life. I choose to release the seeds of bitterness and anger and honor my son’s love. I choose to walk in the freedom of knowing God’s justice has been served. I pray that God has mercy on your soul.
Jump below the fold for the statement of Ron Davis, Jordan's father.
Ron Davis spoke next:
My life as I’d known it was shattered on Nov. 23, 2012, Black Friday, as it was commonly called, for the day after Thanksgiving. I now call it Black Friday for completely different reasons for me and my family. I will never forget that phone call from Tanya Brunson to me at work. That my baby boy Jordan had been shot.
There was no way he had been shot, so I asked her again and again. I left work in tears that I wish no parent has to cry these type of tears. As I headed for the hospital, a small section of my mind allowed in the most terrible thought. I wondered, will death rest his weary bones on my doorstep tonight?
After the longest hour of my life, the hospital confirmed that yes, Jordan Russell Davis had been received in the emergency room. He was dead on arrival.
I haven’t enough space on this paper or time in my life to tell you the feelings in my mind and my body. All I can say is the old Ron Davis, for all intents and purposes, died that night with Jordan.
I held my son in the hospital and kissed him goodbye. You see, I gave him the first kiss when he came into this world, and I could never imagine giving him his last kiss.