A teenage boy cried out and collapsed in court after being told he would be denied bail and tried for murder as an adult.
16-year-old Sean Simpson is charged with the January shooting murder of Zaquavious Dawkins, which unfolded in Gastonia, North Carolina.
The alleged teenage killer could not hold back his tears in court, sobbing and screaming after learning that he was denied release on bail and would face the law as an adult.
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Footage obtained by Queen City News shows Simpson starting to wipe his eyes as the judge could be heard saying ‘hold without bond.’
The teenage boy denied bail had his wrists cuffed together, and unexpectedly began to fall to one side of his body.
A deputy standing next to him stopped him from falling to the floor by holding Simpson and allowing the teenager to rest on his shoulder.
Simpson then lashed out with a loud cry and leaned forward, yet the two deputies on either side kept a close eye on him and held him on.
A new state law that was passed by North Carolina in December 2024 allows 16 and 17-year-olds to now be charged as adults for some crimes, which include murder.
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Reports indicate that Simpson is one of the first teenage boys to be tried under the new law. He allegedly fired on Dawkins and another victim as they walked on a road after a fight at a schoolyard, as per the Gaston Gazette.
Simpson is also facing an attempted first-degree murder charge for shooting at the other unnamed victim, who survived though he was seriously injured.
On January 29, Dawkins’ family was seen to be emotional as they watched on during the court hearing.
On the day of the shooting, Dawkins and his friend were walking home from a Family Dollar when a black Tesla drove past.
A boy in the back seat, later identified as Simpson by Dawkins’ friend, then began yelling at them.
The Tesla turned around, and Simpson allegedly started to shoot from the back seat, striking and killing Dawkins.
According to reports, the two had fought at school the year before, but it remains unclear why the conflict reignited.
Simpson was arrested two days later at a center for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, where he was receiving treatment and claimed he had an alibi.
Prosecutors say Dawkins was found dead in a parking lot with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. Simpson now faces a potential grand jury indictment for murder.
In 2019, North Carolina passed the Raise the Age law, ensuring 16- and 17-year-olds were tried in juvenile court to reduce reoffending and stigma.
However, in December 2024, the law was amended to allow adult court trials for serious felonies committed by minors.
Dawkins’ family is hoping Simpson is found guilty of the charges against him as they aim to find justice for their dead 16-year-old son.
