On Tuesday evening, October 10, 2023, at Sherman Park in St. Louis, a youth football coach was shot during a training session.
While coaching his team of children nine to ten-years-old, Shaquille Latimore was allegedly shot multiple times by Daryl Clemmons, a former coach and the father of one of the players on his team.
The 30-year-old coach was hit in the leg, arm, back, and abdomen during the practice. After the incident, Clemmons turned himself in to the police. The motive behind this violent act appears to be Clemmons’ discontent over his son’s lack of playing time in previous games.
Following the incident, Latimore underwent surgery and he is now in critical but stable condition. Relatives have reported that he is in good spirits post-surgery.
As a result of the incident, Clemmons, 43, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He remains in custody and is currently jailed without bond. No attorney has been listed for Clemmons as of the latest updates from Missouri’s online court-reporting system.
Many are concerned about the children who witnessed the incident, as they are likely traumatized by the event. SeMiko Latimore, Shaquille’s mother, expressed her distress over the situation, emphasizing that the purpose of youth sports is to teach children positive values and to give them a safe environment. To support the children and other witnesses, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has partnered with the city to offer counseling services.
