14-year-old killed playing with gun at assistant coach’s home, coroner says

GAFFNEY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A 14-year-old is dead after he shot himself with a gun early Sunday morning, according to the Gaffney Police Department.

According to police, the incident happened at about 12:57 a.m. at Colonial Heights apartments when the 14-year-old and his 13-year-old cousin found a gun in the house that belonged to the homeowner. The coroner said it was the home of the victim’s assistant basketball coach.

The Cherokee County School District superintendent said the coach does not coach for a team affiliated with the school district, but the coach is a teacher with the district.

District officials would not comment on what school the teacher works at or if they could face any sort of discipline from the district.

Officers responded to the scene and found the 14-year-old on the living room floor with a gunshot wound to the chest and immediately began CPR.

Unfortunately, the Cherokee County Coroner said the victim, Zakius Joshua Davis, passed away from his injuries.

Following the accidental shooting, Impact Elite Knights AAU Basketball Program confirmed that Davis’ was a part of one of their teams. The Owner and CEO of the program, Johnte Gaffney, released the following statement on the situation.

“This has hurt us really bad Impact Elite knights basketball family loved Z he was like a son to me he always called me pops has been a part of this program for 3 years he was a outstanding basketball player who loved the game. He had loving heart who always had a big amazing smile on his face and always kept the team laughing. Z will be truly missed We are praying for the family and we send all our love and if they need anything pops is always here. This season we will be dedicating it In memory of Z our motto is one eat we all eat we are family”

School district officials said Davis was a student at Gaffney High School, and grief counselors were at the school on Monday for students who needed them.

“Just a tragic, unfortunate event. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and everybody involved in this situation. Our school families, we’ve had counselors out at all the schools making sure that our employees and our kids are taken care of,” said Superintendent Dr. Dana Fall.

The coroner said the 13-year-old told officials that Davis found the gun in a kitchen cabinet and began to play with it while singing.

“This is nothing short of an absolute tragic event that has claimed this young person’s life,” the coroner said. “It should send a loud message to adults that our children must be protected from having access to weapons whether loaded or unloaded. And, they must be educated from an early age that guns are not toys and should be respected. My thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family.”

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