Zaevion Dobson Explained

Zaevion Dobson
Birth Name:Zaevion William Dobson
Birth Date:June 28, 2000
Birth Place:Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Death Place:Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.

Zaevion William Dobson (June 28, 2000 – December 17, 2015) was a school football player at Fulton High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He became the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, for shielding three girls from gunfire.

Biography

Zaevion William Dobson was born on June 28, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to parents Zenobia Dobson and Lionell Kimber.[1] Dobson has two brothers, Zack Dobson and Markastin Taylor.[2] He was a football player wearing the number 24 at Fulton High School, playing for the Falcons.[2]

Death and legacy

On December 17, 2015, Dobson shielded three girls from an apparent random drive-by shooting in his neighborhood. Dobson was shot and killed. The suspects' vehicle later crashed, the driver had suffered a gunshot wound and later died, and the other two suspects fled the scene but were later captured. Police believe Dobson's death was the last of two other related shootings earlier in the evening.[3] [4]

For his actions, Dobson posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in July 2016. His mother accepted the award on his behalf.[5] [6] [7]

To honor Dobson's legacy, Tennessee Volunteer and Knoxville native Todd Kelly Jr. elected to wear Dobson's number (24) for the 2016 college football season.[8]

On October 27, 2017, a ceremony was held at the Falcons’ final game. Dobson's number was retired, as he would have been a senior and would have had his last game that night.[9]

On February 2, 2018, Christopher Drone Bassett was sentenced to life in prison, while Richard Gregory Williams III and Kipling Colbert Jr. received sentences of over 100 years in prison.[10]

The Change Center was opened in December 2018 partly as inspiration from Dobson's acts.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Dobson family . Zaevion Dobson Obituary . . June 21, 2016 . December 24, 2015.
  2. Web site: Daniel S.. Levine . Zaevion William Dobson: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know . . June 21, 2016 . June 21, 2016.
  3. Web site: December 18, 2015 . Knoxville high school football player Zaevion Dobson killed in gang shooting . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151219132903/http://www.wate.com/2015/12/18/knoxville-police-investigate-3-separate-overnight-shootings/ . December 19, 2015 . July 14, 2016 . wate.com.
  4. Web site: HS Football Player Killed Trying to Shield Others From Gunfire. Francis. Enjoli. December 18, 2015. ABC News. July 14, 2016.
  5. Camille. Augustin . Slain Teen, Zaevion Dobson, To Be Honored With Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS . . June 21, 2016 . June 21, 2016.
  6. Bernie. Augustine . Courage ESPY to Zaevion Dobson, football star killed in shooting. Daily News. New York . June 21, 2016 . June 21, 2016.
  7. Web site: Harper . Kathleen . June 21, 2016 . Tennessee Teen Who Died Protecting 3 Girls Will Receive Arthur Ashe Award . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160622132936/http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2016/06/21/teen-receives-arthur-ashe-award-zaevion-dobson-shot-dies-protecting-girls/ . June 22, 2016 . June 21, 2016 . Hollywoodlife.com.
  8. Web site: Here's how a Tennessee defensive back will honor a slain Knoxville teen. CBSSports.com. August 2, 2016 . July 11, 2019.
  9. Web site: Fulton retires Zaevion Dobson's No. 24 at Senior Night . Tennessean.com . 2017-10-27 . 2019-07-11.
  10. Web site: Judge doles out hefty prison terms in Zaevion Dobson slaying. Knoxville News Sentinel. July 11, 2019.
  11. News: Knoxville remembers Zaevion Dobson 3 years after heroic shooting death . 19 December 2018 . ABC 6 . 17 December 2018 . The Fulton High School football player's story quickly spread and eventually reached the White House. Dobson became the face of the local anti-gang movement, which eventually led to the opening of The Change Center just last week..

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