South Holland, IL – Family, friends, and classmates are grieving the loss of 16-year-old Davell Antoine Holden III, a rising student-athlete from South Holland, who was tragically killed in a shooting on the evening of Saturday, August 2, 2025. Holden, an honor student and basketball standout at Thornwood High School, was fatally shot at a residence near 160th Place and Drexel Avenue while visiting a friend’s house.

On Wednesday evening, nearly 200 family members, friends, and classmates gathered for a vigil and balloon release in his honor. The community is mourning Holden’s loss while also seeking justice for his untimely death. As of Thursday morning, no arrests have been made, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect responsible for the shooting.

Remembering Davell Holden’s Legacy

Loved ones remember Davell Holden as a dedicated student, athlete, and a positive role model. He was a standout player on the Thornwood Thunderbirds basketball team, where he wore No. 21 and played with a deep passion for the game. Holden’s dreams included playing college basketball, but his future was tragically cut short.

Angela Birts, Holden’s mother, spoke of her son’s character during the vigil, saying, “My son was everything, an awesome young man. My baby was loved by so many people, and this is just a testament of it.” She expressed her disbelief at his death, asking, “First, who and why, why would somebody want to do this to my son?”

Holden leaves behind a 9-year-old brother, who, according to their mother, looked up to him in every way. Angela Birts shared the heartbreak of not seeing Holden graduate high school and pursue his basketball career, a future that had seemed so promising.

The Impact of Holden’s Death on His Community

The South Holland community, along with Thornwood High School, is deeply affected by the tragic loss of Holden. Friends and teammates shared emotional tributes to the young athlete, describing his passion for basketball and his character both on and off the court.

Kay’Shaun Thomas, a close friend and teammate, reflected on Holden’s dedication to the sport, saying, “He had this deep passion for basketball, and it showed out there on the court. He was really focused on progression, he wanted to get better, he wanted to see us as a program get better, so we were really focusing on, for him individually, his layup package.”

Thomas also shared what Holden stood for as a person, “Purity, effort and honesty, that’s all he cared about. Now we gotta put in two times the work, because now we’re fighting for a greater purpose.”

A Heartfelt Sendoff

At the vigil, blue, white, and silver balloons filled the sky as those closest to Holden shared words of hope and strength with each other. This emotional gesture served as a heartfelt sendoff in memory of a young man whose life impacted so many people.

“I honestly feel great just seeing how many people whose lives were impacted positively by Davell,” said Kay’Shaun Thomas. “And it shows how many people he cared about.”

The Search for Justice

As the community mourns Holden’s death, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The police have not released details on the suspect or the possible motive for the crime, but they are actively seeking leads. The $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible.

“We’re asking for the community’s help to find the person who did this,” said South Holland Police. “Any information, no matter how small, could be the key to bringing justice for Davell and his family.”

A Legacy of Love and Leadership

Although his life was tragically cut short, Davell Holden’s legacy as a devoted student, athlete, and brother will continue to inspire those who knew him. He was remembered by many as someone who not only excelled in his sport but also embodied qualities of integrity, dedication, and positive influence on those around him.

His family, friends, and community are committed to ensuring that his legacy lives on through the pursuit of justice and the spread of love that he so often shared with others.

How to Help

Those with any information related to the shooting death of Davell Holden III are encouraged to contact South Holland Police or Crime Stoppers. The $10,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for this senseless act.

“Davell’s legacy is not just about basketball, but the impact he had on all of us,” said a family friend. “We’ll keep fighting for him, and we’ll continue to honor him every step of the way.”