Residents mourn 15-year-old killed in Wednesday shooting in Homewood

PITTSBURGH — Residents of Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood are mourning the loss of 15-year-old Dayvon Vickers, after he was shot in broad daylight on Wednesday.

11 News had the chance to learn more about Dayvon from people who knew him, who described him as a young entrepreneur and the kind of kid who would give you the shirt right off his back.

Police say he was riding his motorized bike when he was shot in the head along the 800 block of North Homewood Avenue on Wednesday evening.

Officers administered life-saving measures until medics arrived, but Dayvon died hours later at the hospital.

“It’s a shock, it’s a shock,” said Martell Covington, who knew Dayvon for more than half of his life.

Dayvon was one of Covington’s children at the Community Empowerment Association in Homewood.

Affectionately known as ‘DayDay,’ he was also a member of the Safe Passage after school program, and Kamp Kuumba Summer Camp.

“Dayvon was someone we always saw in the neighborhood all the time,” Covington recalled. “Always with a smile on his face, and I feel like everyone around here knew him. He was a great spirit.”

According to Pittsburgh Public Schools, Dayvon was a student at Pittsburgh Westinghouse. The district sent 11 News the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Pittsburgh Westinghouse student Dayvon Vickers. The entrepreneurial young person could often be found selling water in his Homewood neighborhood.”

“He made a little business for himself, and had other kids in the neighborhood kind of working as well to sell water,” Covington said. “So he was very enterprising.”

The ambitious boy who lost his mother just last year, will also be remembered as caring.

“We can’t let Dayvon go out like this,” Covington said. “We have to come together and can’t keep saying this is a sad story, or we are offering prayers. We have to do more than that, and it starts with Dayvon. We have to do more to make sure we are protecting our young people and communities from this violence.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools also shared that support was provided for staff and students struggling with Dayvon’s sudden death, and that support will be available as long as it’s needed.

Violent Crime Unit detectives are investigating this situation.

Police are asking anyone with information to call headquarters at (412) 323-7800. Callers can remain anonymous.

Man in custody, faces charges after stolen car from Pittsburgh was involved in Philadelphia incident

©2022 Cox Media Group