8 Mourn Davis, Two Of His Victims -- Police Killed Man After Violent Rampage
The day before Lonnie Cedric Davis went on a violent crime spree last Friday that took the lives of three people - including his mother and 18-month-old nephew - he stopped by the Downtown Human Services Council to call a few prospective employers.
Most job-seekers are not allowed to use the telephone, said Juan Bocanegra, executive director of the downtown-based organization that helps young people find jobs.
But Davis was special.
"Everyone was impressed by him. He was real sharp," Bocanegra said. "I talked to his mother several times, too. She was a real sweetheart."
Davis, the youngest of three children, was always close to his mother.
Yesterday, their caskets rested next to each other as they were eulogized at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle's Central Area.
A police sniper shot the 21-year-old Davis after he went on a violent crime spree, fatally stabbing his mother, Shelia Lindsey of Brier, and his 18-month-old nephew, Khari Prince, and then randomly bludgeoning to death retired Shoreline nurse Erma Ruth Spence, 63.
The bodies of Lindsey and the little boy were placed together in a single coffin.
Only brief and oblique references to the circumstances of their deaths were made during yesterday's funeral, attended by more than 800. mourners.
"Sometimes bad things happen to good people. And sometimes people who we think are good do bad things," said the Rev. George Frost of Abundant Life Christian Church, who delivered the eulogy. "But God is ultimately in control.
"Even when things happen that we don't understand, God is good. God is still on the throne."
Of Lindsey, who was 46 and a member of Abundant Life, Frost said: "We are going to miss her dearly.
"We will also miss Lonnie, and his nice, wide smile. And we'll miss Khari, as well."
As the mourners filled the church, they were handed a program filled with photos and words about the lives of Davis, Lindsey and Khari.
Lindsey was active in the lives of her three children, the program said, and in activities such as Girl Scouts, swimming, dance and drill team. "She was a mother and a best friend to many of the children in her community," the program said.
In another passage, Khari was described as a happy child who could often be found in front of a television watching his favorite program, Teletubbies: "In the words of Khari . . . bye-bye Tinky Winky, bye-bye Laa Laa, bye-bye Dipsy, bye-bye Po. I'm smiling down on you."
It characterized Davis as someone with "a witty sense of humor," who was loved by everyone.
On May 5, Davis graduated from the Seattle Jobs Initiative, which pays the community-college tuition for students pursuing job training.
Davis studied machinery and carpentry. Instructors at South Seattle Community College recently had asked him to tutor other students, said Bocanegra.
For his achievements and attitude, Davis was chosen to speak at a reception for a dozen new graduates at the community college on May 6.
Police think Davis attacked Khari first and then killed Lindsey in the Brier home where Lindsey lived with her husband, Jimmy Lindsey.
During the eulogy, Frost also asked for strength and comfort for the other victims - Spence, and 82-year-old Irene Hilton of Shoreline and motorcyclist Anthony Venegas, 64. Both are still recovering from last weekend's violence at the hands of Davis.
"It's a real tragedy," Bocanegra said. "The kid (Davis) was real smart, very sharp. I'm totally caught by this."
Alex Fryer's phone message number is 206-464-8124. His e-mail address is: afryer@seattletimes.com
Steve Miletich's phone message number is 206-464-3302. His e-mail address is: smiletich@seattletimes.com