Police have charged two suspects in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-Old Zaevion Dobson, who was killed while using his body to shield friends from gunfire that erupted suddenly while they sat outside a relative’s home in Knoxville, Tennessee last December.
Christopher Bassett and Richard Williams were charged with first-degree murder for Dobson’s death and also face numerous other charges, including the attempted murders of as many as eight other people, according to CNN.
Zaevion Dobson’s Mother Accepts His ESPY Courage Award With Moving Speech On Ending Gun Violence
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen confirmed the charges on Thursday, while also revealing that the pair are currently being held on $1 million bond.
Faith Gordon, 17, was one of Dobson’s friends saved by his heroic actions. She described the shooting incident to CNN affiliate WATE:
“We were only there for like 15 minutes,” Gordon said. “We were just sitting there talking and laughing, and next thing you know, it’s like a couple of guys… they walk, they just stop, and they stand for awhile and we’re all trying to figure out like what’s going on, what they’re doing, who they are. They started shooting.”
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.
Dobson’s heartbreaking story caught the attention of President Barack Obama, who called him “a hero at 15” in a tweet sent out from the official POTUS account shortly after his death. The brave teen was also honored at this year’s ESPY Awards, where his mother, Zenobia Dobson, accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on his behalf.