HICKORY, N.C. — A large crowd gathered Monday evening to remember the life of 7-year-old Zakylen Harris, a young boy shot and killed as he rode in the car with his mother and siblings according to Hickory Police.
The deadly shooting took place on Wednesday just after 11 p.m. along Tate Boulevard Southeast. Days later, the community came together to mourn this shared loss. Family members and even those who never got the chance to meet Zakylen said there were impacted by a young life taken too soon.
“It could have been one of our grandchildren,” a community member said. “It could have been any one of our children so again that child took that bullet.”
But instead of focusing on the tragedy, those who loved Zakylen are remembering the best parts about him.
“To know Ky was to love Ky,” his aunt said. “Ky was charismatic, sweet, charming. He loved going to school. He was just a kid you meet and you love him.”
As part of the candlelight vigil, Hickory Mayor Hank Guess said each burning light represents a spark of hope and change.
“We can not bring Zakylen back, but we can determine we will initiate change for the better so that we no longer have vigils and funerals for 7-year-olds,” Guess said.
Hickory police say 23-year-old Douglas Wilson, the man accused of firing the shot that killed Zakylen, has been arrested and charged with murder.
Contact Briana Harper at bharper@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.