Funnel Cake Man’s family offers $5,000 reward for information leading to arrest

Dolton police Chief Robert Collins said Tuesday investigators know the identities of those involved in the shooting death of Tavares Davis, who with his wife opened The Funnel Cake Man in Orland Park and Merrillville, Indiana, but no one has been arrested.

“There is still more work to do on the case, however, I am confident that justice will be served,” Collins said. “As we continue to assemble this case, I ask that anyone with additional information about this incident, please come forward.”

Tavares Davis’s family is offering up to $5,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.

NaKesha Davis said she reached out to Cook County Crime Stoppers to offer the reward so people with information have an anonymous way of reporting what they know. Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $1,000 for tips submitted that lead to an arrest, Davis said.

“We want an arrest. We want the people involved to be held accountable,” she said.

Davis said detectives update her on the case a couple times a month and give her “a broad overview.”

“The case is in a really good position and the detectives are working really hard, but I also think that any additional information will be helpful,” she said.

Tavares Davis, 41, was fatally shot Aug. 2 in the 15500 block of Drexel Avenue, according to the Dolton Police Department. Police said a 27-year-old and another man who were seen fleeing the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu with Michigan license plates both are persons of interest in the case.

Surveillance video shows the 27-year-old entering a white Mercedes-Benz SUV with other people, including Tavares Davis, police said. Tavares Davis was shot and then thrown from the vehicle, police said.

While the 27-year-old man was arrested and processed on a warrant from another police agency, Collins said in October he was not in custody in connection with Davis’ death.

NaKesha Davis said detectives told her the day of the shooting her husband was taken to Franciscan Health in Hammond, where he died. He had been checked into the hospital as “John Doe” because his wallet and jewelry were missing, she said.

Because he got into the car willingly, Davis said it’s likely he knew someone in the car as an acquaintance because he knew a lot of people in the area. But, he never mentioned to her meeting with someone that day, she said.

Tavares Davis was wearing a custom chain with the letters TFCM, for The Funnel Cake Man, when he left the house, she said, and that was taken in the incident.

In the six months since his death, Davis said she and their three children have missed him greatly. She said she and the employees appreciate that customers are still supporting the business in Orland Square mall in Orland Park and Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Indiana.

“It’s been very difficult without him. We feel it at home, of course, and at the business. We appreciate the customers that continue to support us, but it’s been difficult without him,” NaKesha Davis said.

People with information in this case can contact Cook County Crime Stoppers at 800-535-7867 or tips@cookcountycrimestoppers.org.