Teen charged in deadly shooting of 16-year-old in Gastonia

16-year-old Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins was shot and killed on 1/26/25 in Gastonia. Picture from GoFundMe.

UPDATE:

GASTONIA, NC – A 16-year-old boy is charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder following the shooting of another 16-year-old in Gastonia.

Police arrested Sean James Curtis Simpson around 9:30 Tuesday morning.

He’s accused of shooting Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins on North Chester Street on Sunday night.

Detectives are still investigating what led up to the shooting.

ORIGINAL STORY (POSTED 1/27/25):

GASTONIA, NC – A 16-year-old boy died after a shooting on North Chester Street in Gastonia.

Police say the shooting happened just after 6pm on Sunday.

Officials did not release the boy’s name or any other information about the shooting.

A GoFundMe set up for the family says the victim is Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins and that he attended Ashbrook High School in Gastonia where he played football and baseball.

The organizer of the GoFundMe also says the shooting happened as Dawkins was walking to the store for his mother.

You can see the fundraiser here.

If you know anything that can help detectives with this case, you are asked to call CrimeStoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000.

You do not need to leave your name or testify and you could get a cash reward.