On Tuesday evening, October 10, 2023, at Sherman Park in St. Louis, a youth football coach was shot four times during a practice session.
While leading the practice for his team of nine to ten-year-old players, Coach Shaquille Latimore became the target of a violent act. The alleged assailant is Daryl Clemmons, a past coach and the parent of one of Latimore’s players. After shooting Latimore, the father of five, in the back, Clemmons shot him a few more times. Latimore was left with wounds to his leg, arm, back, and abdomen.
Sources suggest that the shooting was a result of Clemmons’ dissatisfaction regarding his son’s playing time in prior games. Following the incident, Clemmons handed himself over to local authorities.
Subsequent to the shooting, Latimore, 30, underwent surgery and is now reported to be in a critical, but stable state. Despite the circumstances, his family has reported that he remains in good spirits.
Clemmons, 43, faces charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He is currently detained and has been denied bond.
Beyond the immediate parties involved, there are broader concerns for the young witnesses of the event. Emphasizing the significance of safety and positive lessons in youth sports, SeMiko Latimore, Shaquille’s mother, voiced her concerns. In response to the potential trauma faced by the children and other witnesses, counseling services are being provided through a partnership between the city and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
