John 15:13:Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
A 15-year-old high school football star was killed while shielding three girls during a senseless shooting spree in Tennessee on Friday
Zaevion Dobson was with a few friends Thursday in his northern Knoxville neighborhood when a group of men approached them and began firing randomly into the crowd.
Dobson’s brother Zach said that he was among the group sitting on a porch just after 10 p.m. when they saw the men walking up to them.
“I’m shocked. I’m really just shocked. I can’t believe it, can’t get it across my head,” Zack Dobson said. “We were just sitting on the porch chillin’, and we see these random dudes walking up.”
Zaevion jumped on top of three girls to protect them from the gunfire. He was the only one hit.
"He died laying on top of me. I love him that's my brother man ?? rest easy zae ???? ILL NEVER FORGET YOU,” one of the girls tweeted after the tragedy.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said the violence started miles away when a 46-year-old woman named Lisa Perry was shot while inside her apartment.
She is expected to survive.
Rausch said Perry’s 23-year-old son, Brandon Perry, and several other men then drove to the neighborhood where Zaevion lived and “randomly fired multiple times” in a twisted retribution for the earlier bloodshed.
Brandon Perry was later found to have been shot after he crashed a car into another apartment. He died from his injuries.
Two other men who fled from the crash were arrested, though one was later released after being questioned.
Christopher D. Bassett, 20, was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon and probation violation, officials said.
Further charges may be added later and Bassett is being held without bond, cops said.
“These cowardly and senseless acts of violence must stop,” Rausch said. “We should be preparing to celebrate the Christmas holiday, but now we have two men who are dead.”
Rausch said investigators think the shootings are gang-related, but he said there didn’t appear to be a motive to target Zaevion.
“Unfortunately, they picked a random group of young men and women who were just hanging out and trying to prepare to celebrate the holiday,” he said.
PR
This young man was so full of promise. I have a friend who says, "man plans and God smiles." This young man, Zaevion Dobson, was a role model to young people in his community; he was also a football star for Fulton High School; and he was beloved by all who knew him, according to reports. I saw on the News where even the Police Chief (Rausch) was fighting back tears. I can only presume that this young, 15 year old served his purpose in the sight of God. I see God saying to him, "Well done thy good and faithful servant". Just as Jesus gave his life for all people, Zaevion gave his life for the three, young ladies. My condolences to his family and friends. There is one bright glimmer in this tragedy: the police found the warped young men who killed Zaevion Dobson. One of them, I think he was the ringleader, has died; one of them has been released from police custody. That leaves Christopher Bassett, a felon. Now, it will all fall on his shoulders--and for what? Interestingly, I believe that the literal meaning of Christopher's name is "christ-bearer"--perhaps his family had high hopes for him at birth. Rest in Peace, Zaevion.
ReplyDeleteI think most parents have high hopes and aspirations for their children. Those of us who care do our best to nurture and raise them to bring those hopes to fruition. The bottom line is some children turn out to be heroes and some children turn out to be low life murderers.
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