A schoolyard fight may have led to the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins in Gastonia, according to search warrant documents. Dawkins was shot on January 26 while walking on North Chester Street.
The investigation revealed that Dawkins’ friend, Chance Hoyle, had a previous altercation with 16-year-old Sean Simpson at Ashbrook High School. On the day of the shooting, Hoyle and Dawkins encountered Simpson in a black Tesla. Simpson allegedly yelled at them, and when the vehicle returned, Hoyle and Dawkins fled, but Simpson began shooting.
Simpson was arrested two days later at the Gaston Adolescent Center, where he was receiving treatment. He claimed to have an alibi, which he said was stored on his cell phone. Police obtained a search warrant for Simpson’s home on Linda Street.
Dawkins was pronounced dead at the hospital with a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. He was laid to rest on February 4 at Adams Chapel AME Zion Church Cemetery in Kings Mountain.
