[wujuan]

Zaevion Dobson was killed while protecting three girls during a random shooting

Teen shielded girls with his body

(CNN)There's a saying that the true character of a person shines in a time of crisis.

There's no doubt of Zaevion William Dobson's character, according to the 15-year-old's friends and family, who are mourning his death.

Thursday evening, the football player jumped on top of three girls to shield them from a spray of bullets in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to police and CNN affiliate WATE.

Police said Friday that the three male suspects believed to be responsible for the shooting had gang ties, and had fired upon on a group of school kids celebrating the holidays.

Zaevion was not only a football player, but a mentor to his peers, Mayor Madeline Rogero told CNN affiliate WATE. The teen's coach, Rob Black, said that the sophomore was liked by teachers and students at Fulton High School.

"This is a fine, fine young man who is a success story," he said. "And I want to try to continue to celebrate the life that he had here and the impact that he made on his peers," Black said.

A candlelight vigil was held Friday evening. Dozens came out to celebrate the teenager's life, some placing candles in the shape of the number 24, his jersey number.

Dobson's brother Zach shared the last moments he had with his brother after the shooting. "I found him on the porch and I picked him up and he was laying in my hands dead," he told WATE.

Friend Jaylin Posey said Dobson's actions were heroic. "It was good to know he was willing to protect others, but then it was sad he had to give up his own life for it," he said.

The girls were not injured, according to Knoxville police. One of the suspects died from a gunshot wound late that evening, although not all the details are clear. Two others were arrested; the investigation is still ongoing.

There were three overnight shootings in Knoxville the evening of Dobson's death. They may have been connected, according to police.

Two girls spoke to CNN affiliate WVLT about the shooting. "If it wasn't for Zaevion, if he would have just ran off the porch, we would have probably been shot," Kiara Rucker said.

Faith Gordon said by the time the shooting was over she told the teen he could get up, but he didn't. "So I just went upstairs, and by the time I came back to make sure everything was real, (I saw) he was shot in the head," Gordon said.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama focused on Dobson's death, tweeting from his @POTUS account: "Zaevion Dobson died saving three friends from getting shot. He was a hero at 15. What's our excuse for not acting?"


Dobson's brother said it was the teenager's dream to be a football player or a coach.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family lay the teenager to rest.

(this happened a few miles from my house)

[facing_reality]

Sad. Another quality person with honor is gone, eradicated by gang-banging vermin. wickedlara, do you think his heroic sacrifice was a waste?

And I hate the fact that Obama just had to chime in on this:

"On Sunday, President Barack Obama [said]: 'Zaevion Dobson died saving three friends from getting shot. He was a hero at 15. What's our excuse for not acting?'"

That's rich coming from someone who just released 10,000 of these thugs back onto our streets.

RIP, Zaevion. You died a hero, so that others may live.

[Nasty Nuggets]

Obama is right. What is our excuse for letting these gang bangers run around and shoot people daily in every major city in America? I'm sure their guns were registered and perfectly legal cause you know, gang bangers uphold the law.

[Oswald2001]

Trayvon Martin low life Ghetto Trash Thugs Urban ISIS are a direct product of...da Black *******.


Blax Lives don't matter...to Blax.


Otherwise, they would have nothing to do with...da Black *******.

[tbone79]

I'm proud of him, it's just too bad that he was gunned down by some gutter trash. RIP sir..

[redelefant]

Damn. Like a champ.

[Pyramid_Head]

Killing random kids is what make you a bad ass gangster? No, more like a coward bitch.

[wujuan]

ok. this is how it happened. a lady was shot when someone shot into her house. the son got mad and went and shot randomly at a group of people. a few hours later and sweet karmic justice happened when the son was shot and killed.

[niknik]

Black lives matter

Anyone?

[niknik]

Originally Posted by Oswald2001 ↗

Trayvon Martin low life Ghetto Trash Thugs Urban ISIS are a direct product of...da Black *******.


Blax Lives don't matter...to Blax.


Otherwise, they would have nothing to do with...da Black *******.

Look, Travon couldn't hurt nobody. He just likes skittles.