Family mourns USPS mail carrier shot inside postal van during route

WARREN, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $250,000 after an Ohio mail carrier was killed in what police are calling a targeted shooting.

Warren Police say U.S. Postal Service mail carrier 33-year-old Jonte Davis was shot in his postal van just before 1:45 pm. Saturday on the 600 block of Olive Avenue NE. His van then crashed at a nearby intersection, WOIO reports.

Officers and EMTs performed life-saving measures on the scene after pulling the 33-year-old from the postal van. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his gunshot wounds, according to a police release.

Police say the suspect shot Jonte Davis from another vehicle. A few hours after the shooting, police found the suspect vehicle in the driveway of a home on the 400 block of Maryland Ave NE.

Police searched the vehicle and the house, and several people were interviewed, according to the release.

Police currently have no one in custody but believe Jonte Davis and the suspect knew each other.

Jonte Davis’ family and longtime family friend, Tracey Kindler, have a message for his killer: “Do the right thing and turn yourself in.”

The group gathered Sunday and tried to comfort each other through hugs and tears.

Jonte Davis was described as a devoted father, brother and veteran. He had been with USPS for less than a year. His loved ones say he was a positive force in his community, and they can’t understand why anyone would target him.

“He never had a harsh word or anything towards anyone,” Kindler said.

Larry Davis, the victim’s older brother, couldn’t fight back the heartbreak and tears as Kindler tried to comfort him.

“That’s the hardest part, ma’am. It’s just that he was out doing his job trying to make a living for himself and his family, and someone would do that to him. He wasn’t trying to be in the streets and do wrong things. He was trying to be a professional, be responsible, be a role model for his kids and others to follow,” Kindler said.

The family says they want to remember Jonte Davis for how he lived his life, not how he died.

“He was just now finding himself, doing the right thing, being able to buy a new home, get a new job, show his kids what right looks like, make money the right way, not the fast way,” Kindler said.

USPS and the FBI are both assisting Warren Police with the investigation. A reward of up to $250,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) involved in the murder of Jonte Davis.

Anyone with information is asked to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455, say “Law Enforcement” and reference case number: 4262416-WPV. You can also call Warren Police at 330-841-2723.

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