*USA Today is reporting that a Teenager in Tennessee was shot and killed while trying to shield and protect three young girls from gunfire during a “senseless act of violence.”
The victim, who has been identified as Zaevion Dobson,15, was in Knoxville on Thursday (Dec. 17) with a group of friends when several men began shooting, according to David Rausch, Knoxwville Police Chief.
Dobson then jumped on top of the young girls to protect them, which led to him being the only one hit by the unexpected gunfire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I’m shocked. I’m really just shocked,” Zaevion’s brother, Zack Dobson, said. “We were just sitting on the porch chilling, and we see these random dudes walking up. Why would you shoot at random bystanders? For nothing. ….Zae, he was an awesome kid brother, awesome brother. Just know that I miss him. I miss my brother.”
According to police, Dobson’s untimely death is connected to two separate shootings that also happened overnight in the Knoxville area. The first incident involved Lisa Perry, 46, who was shot in a drive-by near her home. She is expected to survive. Perry’s son, Brandon Perry, 23, is said to be one of the suspects in Dobson’s death.
The second incident that occurred also involved Brandon Perry, who was shot later on that night. Perry also crashed his car into an apartment building, and passed away on Friday (Dec. 18) morning. Police Chief Rausch believes the shootings are gang-related, but Dobson in particular was not affiliated.
Rob Spears, principal at Fulton High School, which Dobson attended, spoke highly of him.
“That speaks to his character,” Spears told the Knoxville News-Sentinel. “As a sophomore, he was a leader. He was a kid that other kids wanted to be around.”
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