18 years for Chicago man who pointed gun at Bensenville police

A Chicago man accused of pointing a gun at a Bensenville police officer and pulling the trigger multiple times before being shot himself was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.

Namar Davis, 25, of the 900 block of North LeClaire Street, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of armed violence. In turn, prosecutors dropped other charges, including of attempted murder, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint.

Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Lindt said Davis spent the morning of Dec. 20, 2013, harassing his ex-girlfriend, Davina Ware, from an unknown cellphone number. Throughout the day, Ware hung up on Davis several times only to find him outside her office when she got off work around 6 p.m.

Lindt said Davis went to the business to attempt to reconcile with Ware.

Davis waited outside for Ware and even followed her back into her office when she saw him and turned around.

"He grabbed her and pulled her around," Lindt said, "ultimately preventing her from getting into her vehicle."

Ware testified that the stalking provided a "perpetual source of fear" that, at its peak, kept her from leaving her house and attending work or school.

"December 20, 2013, was the worst day of my life," Ware said. "This man intended to kill me. To this day I sleep with a knife under my bed because of the constant fear and paranoia."

Bensenville police responded about 6 p.m. Dec. 20 to a domestic disturbance at Ware's employer on the 700 block of Route 83. Arriving at the scene, the officer saw Davis walking away from the area.

Lindt said the officer attempted to approach Davis and asked him several times to take his hands from his pockets. When Davis finally took one hand from his pocket, he pointed a loaded handgun at the officer and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire.

During a brief chase through a business park, Davis again pointed the gun at the officer at which time the officer pulled his service weapon and fired, striking Davis multiple times in the hands and forearm.

"During the investigation, Davis said he was trying to be shot by cops to commit suicide," Lindt said.

Ware, however, called Davis cold and calculating, with no regard for human life.

"His gun jamming is the only reason those two officers weren't hurt or worse," she said.

Bensenville Police Chief Frank Kosman declined to comment on the pleadings or the sentence Monday, but he acknowledged how fortunate his two officers were.

"(Davis) did what he did and our officers had to do what they did," Kosman said. "But it's really unfortunate that anyone could find themselves in such a dire state to think (suicide by cop) is a good way to handle any situation."

With good behavior, Davis will serve half of the 18-year sentence and he received credit for the 333 days he's been in custody since his arrest. Barring any setbacks, Davis will be eligible for parole in late 2022.