Remembering 10-Year-Old Boy Shot and killed in Sacramento County

By Orko Manna

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    SACRAMENTO COUNTY, California (KCRA) — In a tragic incident that has left the community devastated, a 10-year-old boy named Keith “KJ” Frierson was shot and killed over the weekend. Loved ones are now mourning the loss of this young boy, remembering him as a sweet soul whose life was tragically cut short.

Dozens of family members, friends, and members of the community gathered on Monday evening at the location where the shooting took place, Greenholme Drive in Sacramento County, to hold a vigil in honor of Keith.

Keith’s mother, Brittani Frierson, expressed her heartbreak, stating that another young boy, with whom Keith had played in the past, shot her son on Saturday afternoon right outside their apartment. The incident occurred after a bike race in which Keith was participating.

“My baby… asked me if he could go outside to ride. Not even 15 minutes later, my baby was gone. All because he was enjoying a race with some other kids he considered his friends on his new bike,” Brittani tearfully recounted. “This tragedy was not supposed to happen. It’s not okay.”

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported that the shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Subsequently, deputies arrested a 10-year-old boy and his father, identified as 53-year-old Arkete Davis, in connection with the incident.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the 10-year-old child obtained a gun from Davis’ vehicle and used it to fatally shoot another 10-year-old boy, identified as Keith Frierson by his grieving family. Detectives also uncovered that Davis attempted to conceal the weapon by discarding it in a nearby trashcan.

“Instead of rendering aid to my baby, he tried to hide it. He tried to cover it up. He left my baby there,” Brittani expressed her anguish. “He will pay for this. He will. We’ll get justice for my son. I will get justice for my son.”

Keith’s godmother, Nina Trepagnier, and other loved ones placed the blame on Davis for the tragic fate of both Keith and the 10-year-old boy who allegedly shot him.

“It starts at home,” Trepagnier firmly stated. “This is the parents’ fault. They failed that child. And it took our boy because they failed him, because they were poor examples.”

At the emotional vigil held on Monday night, those closest to Keith shared their memories of him, describing him as a loving, selfless, and kind individual.

“He had a great sense of humor, always cracking jokes and laughing. He was incredibly helpful, reliable, and respectful,” Trepagnier fondly recalled.

Keith was an active child who had a passion for sports, particularly football. He played for the Jr. Foothill Mustangs, and his coaches attended the vigil to pay tribute to the young boy they affectionately referred to as a “gentle giant.”

“We’re going to miss him,” Trepagnier choked back tears. “We’re going to miss him a lot. This should never have happened. I never expected anything like this to happen to anyone I know, especially not Keith. He was an exceptional kid, and this tragedy is beyond comprehension.”

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that the gun used in the shooting was reported stolen in 2017. Additionally, they revealed that Davis is a convicted felon who should not have been in possession of a firearm.

The 10-year-old suspected shooter was taken to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, where he is facing charges of murder. Davis, on the other hand, was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on multiple felony gun-related charges, as well as child endangerment and accessory after the fact.

Davis is currently held on a bail of $500,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

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