Person Of Interest Named In Funnel Cake Man's Homicide In Dolton

DOLTON, IL — Dolton police have identified a person of interest in the slaying of a beloved local businessman, husband and father known for his "Funnel Cake Man" shops at Orland Square Mall and Southlake Mall in Merrillville.

Tavares Davis was shot and killed on August 2. His body was thrown from a car near 155th Street and Drexel Avenue in Dolton. Using surveillance footage from the area, police named 27-year-old Xavier Harding as a person of interest on Monday. Harding was seen entering a white Mercedes-Benz SUV with other people, including the victim, police said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Harding is asked to contact the Dolton Police Department Investigations Division at (708)201-3200.

Police released an image of a second man they say is involved in the shooting, who fled the scene in a white Chevy Malibu with dealer plate 492D40, out of Michigan. The car has two defects in the hood, police said. The vehicle has been identified as being involved in a felony.

The information is the most recent development in the broad-daylight shooting of the 41-year-old from South Holland, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his creation of The Funnel Cake Man business, with locations in Orland Park's Orland Square Mall and Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Indiana.

Davis' wife NaKesha spoke with Patch last week, describing his journey from a childhood of poverty into fatherhood and business ownership.

"He was so proud, he had a passion for business," Davis told Patch. "He loved being a business owner."

Davis told Patch she is now focused on helping police find her husband's killer. As a professional in the legal services field, she understands the system can be flawed.

"I've worked for the public defender's office, I've worked in the justice system," Davis said.

"There are so many African American men that are incarcerated, and so many wrongfully incarcerated. I want to make sure the right person is held responsible."