KNOXVILLE, TENN — A Tennessee boy, 12, was fatally shot Saturday at a Knoxville park, moments after attending a basketball game honoring a 15-year-old cousin who died while shielding friends in a December shooting.
On April 16, 2016, at approximately 9:46 p.m., officers responded to a shooting call at Danny Mayfield Park located at 700 College Street. When officers arrived on the scene they located a male suffering from a knee injury.
The male, 21-year-old Qualon Lauderback, was transported to UT Medical Center for treatment of what was believed to be a gunshot wound, but turned out to be an injury sustained while running.
While Investigators were en-route to UT Medical Center they were advised that a Chevy Tahoe with several windows shot out arrived at the emergency room.
The driver of the Tahoe entered the emergency room carrying his 12-year-old son, Jajuan Hubert Latham. Latham was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Just after 11:00 p.m., Latham died from his injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation, a gathering by a large number of people was being held in the park when shooting erupted between the party attenders and occupants of two vehicles that were driving by the park. During the exchange of gunfire, Latham was struck while he was sitting in the back seat of his father’s parked vehicle.
Multiple shell casings of various caliber weapons were recovered in the area of the shooting. Witnesses have provided statements concerning the events.
Information obtained from the witnesses and the evidence recovered from the scene and the Tahoe are vigorously being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division.
If anyone has information concerning this shooting we ask them to contact the Knoxville Police Department’s crime information line at 865-215-7212. Callers can remain anonymous.
Victim:
Jajuan Hubert Latham
12-years-old
Knoxville address
Latham is the cousin of Zaevion Dobson who was shot and killed last December.
