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The death of his son became foundation for anti-violence effort

The Bakersfield Californian - 4/25/2018

April 24--The crowd of family and friends formed a circle at Union Cemetery. Inside the circle, beneath the shade of an old oak tree lay the grave of Wendale Davis.

On this warm, dappled Monday afternoon, stories were told, parables were shared and prayers were recited -- though maybe not always answered.

Once a year for the past 12 years, they gather to remember and celebrate the life of the 16-year-old, who was shot and killed by an unknown assailant in southeast Bakersfield on April 23, 2006.

"We suffered a great loss," the Rev. Norris Kemp, pastor of Greater Evangelist Temple Church of Bakersfield, told the gathering. "But through that loss, something was gained."

For 12 years, the boy whose life ended before it could really begin has been the namesake of the Wendale Davis Foundation, a nonprofit founded by his father, Wesley Davis, that focuses on ending the sort of violence that resulted in Wendale's death.

The foundation provides mentoring services to young people and adults. More importantly, it works to change the pattern of gang violence that has shattered families, neighborhoods and communities over and again.

"I don't want people's last memory of Wendale to be when we were all called to the hospital and heard the wailing and crying in the halls, and felt the loss so deep," said Wesley Davis as he stood just steps away from his son's grave.

"I want people to remember the kind, the sweet, the loving Wendale Davis."

All these years later, Wesley Davis remains restless. His foundation has a history of working closely with the Bakersfield Police Department to achieve shared goals. But he wants justice for Wendale and is frustrated the murder case case has grown cold.

"The murder of Wendale Davis is one of a number of unsolved cases that has prompted the Bakersfield Police Department to establish a full-time investigative unit dedicated to cold cases," said Capt. Joe Mullins, who heads up investigations for the department.

"We have not given up on this case," Mullins said, "and we will not."

On that night 12 years ago, Wendale had sneaked out of the house to meet a a woman of 20. They were parked in the 900 block of Bradshaw Street, near Cottonwood Road and Watts Drive. The woman lived in the neighborhood.

A dark 1980s or 1990s Ford Thunderbird with rear-tinted windows and four people inside pulled up. A question was asked.

A shot was fired, striking Wendale in the head. He died hours later at the hospital.

His father remembers in the months and years that followed trying to find some semblance of justice. He attempted to track down witnesses. He knocked on doors. He went to places he wouldn't otherwise go.

"There were times I was afraid for my safety," he recalled. "But when it's your son, you do what you have to do."

Starting the Wendale Davis Foundation may be what finally saved him.

Nearly two years ago, in an effort to reduce gang violence and improve the often-strained relationship between police and residents of neighborhoods in central and east Bakersfield, the Board of State and Community Corrections awarded a grant of more than a half-million dollars to the Bakersfield Police Department and several community partners.

One goal of the grant was to establish expectations within the community of its own participation and involvement in law enforcement.

But goal No. 1 was to reduce the number of gang-related shootings in the city, especially on those streets that have seen more than their share of bloodshed and grief.

The grant was titled "Cops, Clergy, and Community," and the Davis Foundation has been a key partner in building those bridges.

"Mr. Wesley Davis and the Wendale Davis Foundation have been instrumental in bringing mentoring services and gang violence intervention efforts to some of the most at-risk individuals in our city," Mullins said.

"I can't bring Wes Davis closure in the murder of his son yet, but I can tell you he has saved the lives of many other people's sons."

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(c)2018 The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.)

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