In a shocking turn of events, the St. Louis youth football community has been left in disbelief as 30-year-old Shaquille Latimore, a dedicated youth football coach, found himself in critical but stable condition after being shot at a practice session. The alleged shooter, 43-year-old Daryl Clemmons, later turned himself in, sending ripples of sorrow and confusion throughout the city.
The incident occurred on a fateful Tuesday evening at Sherman Park, where Coach Shaquille Latimore was leading a little league football team primarily composed of 7- and 8-year-olds. Shaquille, a father of five and a devoted coach, had always been known for his passion and commitment to teaching young athletes not only the fundamentals of the game but also valuable life lessons. His mother, SeMiko Latimore, shared that he was in good spirits, despite undergoing surgery to address the gunshot wounds.
https://www.essence.com/news/football-coach-shot-by-parent-upset-over-sons-playing-time/
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Shaquille Latimore recounted the terrifying events, stating that Clemmons was “upset with him for not starting his son.” In a probable cause statement provided by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, it was revealed that Coach Latimore explained, “I didn’t see his gun until it was already too late. I ran, and he shot me in the back. I fell, and he shot me a couple more times.”
This senseless act of violence took place in front of the very children Shaquille had been mentoring, causing immense trauma and distress among the young athletes. SeMiko Latimore rightly expressed her anguish, stating, “We’re supposed to be bringing these kids off the streets and teaching them what to do, what not to do. We’ve got all these kids traumatized because their coach was shot in front of them.”
Clemmons, who had previously coached the same team before Shaquille Latimore’s involvement, allegedly taunted the injured coach while he was on the ground before other adults intervened. The shocking revelation that Clemmons used to be a part of the same football community only emphasizes the tragic nature of the incident.
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/man-charged-shooting-youth-football-coach/63-f38f5d7c-f0c9-40ba-948a-a06f0deda173
Remarkably, despite the ordeal, Shaquille Latimore displayed incredible resilience and courage. He had brought a firearm to the practice, citing concerns about the location of the field, but handed it over to another adult before practice commenced. As he said, “I gave my gun to someone else to hold. I didn’t want [Clemmons] to feel threatened,” adding that if he had kept the weapon on him, he would have used it to defend himself.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has partnered with the city to offer counseling to the players and other witnesses who were traumatized by the incident. The community has rallied together to provide support and care for the young athletes affected by this horrifying episode.
Daryl Clemmons currently remains in jail without bond, facing charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. While the legal process unfolds, the St. Louis community, once again, finds itself at a crossroads, discussing the critical issues of sportsmanship, parental involvement, and conflict resolution in youth sports.
Shaquille Latimore’s story is one of both tragedy and resilience, highlighting the importance of fostering a safe and nurturing environment for young athletes. His unwavering dedication to the youth of St. Louis and his remarkable spirit serve as a testament to the enduring power of community, sportsmanship, and the indomitable human spirit.
