On February 18th, 2026, Grand Rapids Police Department brutally shot Da’Quain twice in his back and once in the back of his head while he was pinned to the ground and being attacked by a police dog. All of this occurred in front of his family, watching from their apartment.
Since then, GRPD has attempted to slander Da’Quain’s character in an attempt to paint him as a “criminal” and “deserving” of this violence –– but we know who Da’Quain really was.
Da’Quain was a father, a son, and someone who cared deeply about his community. He was the oldest of five siblings; Deonque, Deja’, Christopher and Ny’Endae, and he loved spending time with his kids, 13 year old Layla, 11 year old Kingston, and 4 year old Kyree, as well as his fiancee Deneisha’s daughters.
He and Deneisha were expecting a baby girl, Deja’, due in August. His mother Angelica described him as her best friend, someone who showed her what it meant to be a mom and loved her unconditionally when she felt like no one else did.
Da’Quain had a real passion for fashion and music. He “did not play” when it came to his fits, and black and red were his signature colors. Music was his solace, his joy and his connection to his family. Spending hours singing and whistling jazz tunes with his grandmother, who taught him how to sing for a talent show. He was planning to attend church that Sunday before his life was taken. Da’Quain sought peace, community and something greater than himself.
Da’Quain was deeply loyal to those he loved. He drove twelve hours to Michigan after learning his cousin Sinque Divers had been found in a coma. It didn’t matter when or where; if you called him, he would be on his way to help. He was used to carrying a gun, as his family explained “it’s open carry down here” and everyone carries for protection. His only time in prison came from carrying a weapon, he never committed a violent crime. He earned his GED while incarcerated and was working to build a better life.
Angelica shared that after he died, she realized even more just how much of a light he was in a lot of people’s lives. She heard stories from Grand Rapids community members who shared that he had been there for them and inspired them.
He was described as caring for others to such a strong degree that he was willing to put his life on the line for people and risk his own safety. Even when he was going through his own struggles he always tried to smile through it all. Da’Quain was not a threat, he was a loving pillar of his community.
GRPD took Da’Quain away from us when they pinned him to the ground and shot him in the back, with a dog tearing into him as his family watched from their apartment. The capitalist system views Black lives as disposable, and survival as criminal. But Da’Quain’s memory will live on and move us forward. His story will continue to be written as a part of the movement for justice against the violent enforcers of capitalism.
For every son, father, person like Da’Quain, taken from us by police violence we commit to fighting for justice and a system that no longer sees our lives as expendable. Justice for Da’Quain!
