Keith Frierson was ecstatic when he acquired a brand new bike for Christmas, one he had been begging for. A couple of days later, after aiding his mom in placing away groceries, the younger boy requested if he may go exterior to trip with different children in his condominium complicated.
Fifteen minutes later, neighbors got here screaming and banging on Brittani Frierson’s door. Her son, referred to as KJ, had been shot. One other 10-year-old boy, police say, fired a single bullet that struck KJ within the neck and head.
“I ran for my life, and my youngster was on the bottom,” Frierson stated. “He didn’t actually have a combating likelihood. He was gone.”
Different kids who witnessed the incident stated the boy accused within the taking pictures was indignant and shot her son over dropping to him in a bicycle race, Frierson stated. In accordance with one youngster, she stated, there was no warning or confrontation earlier than the deadly taking pictures.
“That boy simply raised that gun and shot my son,” Frierson stated.
The taking pictures occurred Dec. 30 on the complicated in Foothill Farms, a neighborhood simply exterior Sacramento. Sheriff’s deputies arrived round 4:30 p.m. on the scene, the place medical personnel carried out lifesaving efforts earlier than transporting KJ to a neighborhood hospital. He was pronounced lifeless there.
Keith Frierson, referred to as KJ, was shot within the neck and head by a single gunshot from one other 10-year-old boy. A memorial arrange in his honor in Sacramento.
(Courtesy of Frierson household)
Frierson is surprised, she stated, not solely by the lack of her son but additionally as a result of no homicide prices have been filed in his killing.
At an arraignment on Wednesday, prosecutors charged 53-year-old Arkete Davis, the boy’s father, with gun-related prices, youngster endangerment, and being an adjunct to the crime. He’s being held with no bail.
Davis’ son was initially arrested and booked on a homicide cost, nevertheless it was dropped, Frierson stated.
“There needs to be some sort of consequence,” she stated. “Not solely so I can really feel some sort of closure in my coronary heart for me and my household, so I can begin to grieve. I really feel like I can’t even grieve till I do know that one thing was achieved.”
In an electronic mail, the Sacramento County district legal professional’s workplace said that ethics guidelines barred the workplace from commenting whereas the case was pending in opposition to Davis. It additionally famous that juvenile issues are confidential, as mandated by California legislation.
As a substitute, the DA’s workplace referred to a press release about Davis that prosecutors made within the courtroom: “Primarily based on the details at present identified, the only real prison legal responsibility and duty for the kid’s dying lay completely with this defendant.”
In accordance with investigators, Davis’ son was retrieving cigarettes for his father when he discovered a gun inside the person’s automotive. Witnesses advised detectives that the boy took the gun from the automobile, bragged about it being his father’s gun, after which shot KJ.
Prosecutors have alleged that witnesses overheard the 10-year-old proclaiming, “See, I advised you my dad had a gun” earlier than he fired it.
Frierson stated she personally seen movies taken by witnesses that confirmed Davis placing the gun inside a bag and disposing of it in a trash can following the taking pictures, then working into his dwelling earlier than police arrived.
“He [Davis] was the primary grownup exterior,” she stated. “He didn’t even help or strategy my son.”
Murder detectives with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Workplace reported discovering the gun in a close-by trash can after looking out the scene.
As a convicted felon, Davis was legally prohibited from proudly owning or possessing a firearm. In accordance with the Sheriff’s Workplace, the gun recovered from Davis’ possession had been reported stolen in 2017.
Frierson stated she hardly ever interacted with Davis; she recalled only one encounter greater than a 12 months in the past, which she described as disagreeable. His son, nevertheless, would continuously knock on her door, asking if her kids may play. They performed typically, and KJ thought-about him a buddy.
“I can not wrap my head round what would make a 10-year-old youngster really feel like that was how he solves his issues,” she stated.
She stated it was an injustice that Davis’ son didn’t instantly face authorized penalties for his actions. She acknowledged the boy’s youth, however she believes there ought to be some repercussions for KJ’s dying.
“I don’t assume he totally understands the results his actions have on the household and neighborhood,” Frierson stated. “[But] he is aware of what occurs once you use a gun. He knew learn how to use it. He had no issues pulling the set off.”
The day that KJ was killed, Frierson, alongside along with her two sons and Nina Trepagnier, her finest buddy of 20 years, had plans to create their 2024 imaginative and prescient boards. Trepagnier had simply hung up the cellphone with Frierson when she acquired one other name informing her that KJ had been killed. She stated she simply began screaming.
Brittani Frierson and son Keith Frierson, referred to as KJ, in Sacramento.
(Courtesy of Frierson household)
Trepagnier described KJ as a “very candy boy” who would help aged residents of their complicated by taking out their trash and carrying their groceries.
“This child needed to be a police officer,” she stated. “He at all times obeyed the foundations.”
Trepagnier stated KJ’s killing has had a chilling impact on the neighborhood.
Since his dying, she stated, kids on the complicated have stopped taking part in exterior. The balls and toys that had been as soon as put out for them to play with are gone. Mother and father at the moment are preserving their kids indoors.
Residents of the neighborhood have organized and maintained a candlelight vigil each evening for KJ, just lately braving the rain to hold out the memorial. With the assistance of the neighborhood and sympathetic donors, the household has raised practically $15,000 for funeral providers.
“The following step for me is to rejoice my son,” Frierson stated. “Then, after that, one thing needs to be achieved. I’m not going to cease. I wish to be heard.”
