Jacksonville community gathers to celebrate the life of Jordan Davis

On Friday night, family, friends and the community celebrated the life of Jordan Davis at the Deerwood Bistro.

The 17-year old was shot and killed outside the Gate gas station next door five years ago.

Action News Jax was at the scene after the shooting on Nov. 23, 2012. Davis stopped at the gas station with friends to buy some gum when Michael Dunn asked the boys to turn the music down.

After an argument, Dunn opened fire. Bullets hit the truck as the teens tried to drive away, Davis was killed.

Now, five years later, Jordan's father Ron Davis said the anniversary of his death is more of a celebration of Jordan’s life and legacy.

“We have four years so far, this is the fifth year of vigils. We were crying for Jordan, crying for the families that have lost loved ones and I think five years is enough,” Ron Davis said.

Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, the keynote speaker at the celebration and mayor when the shooting happened, said it was a tough time.

“He was a 17-year old young man who was full of life, really engaged in school, and everyone loved him. You take it personally, you don’t want to see any young man or woman lose their life,” Brown said.

The life and legacy affected a lot of people over the last five years. People from out of state came all the way to Jacksonville to celebrate the life of Jordan Davis.

“Even though I’m from north Jersey, people from around the world had to feel terrible about that. I’m glad I’m here this time. He will always be in our memory, but the question is where do we go from here?” Ralph Pettiford said.

Dunn is now serving life in prison for the murder and for attempted murder.

Cox Media Group