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Officials say teenagers found gun in truck
By Paige Alexander Texarkana Gazette
NEW BOSTON, Texas—The accidental shooting death of a New Boston High School student athlete on Wednesday occurred after a gun was discovered in a former school board president’s truck, an official said.
Police say Semaj Williams, a senior at New Boston High School and member of the varsity football team, was accidentally shot about 9:30 p.m. by Aaron Conkleton, a NBHS senior and the school’s football quarterback.
The pair, along with senior and fellow football player Jaylyn Jones, was at the Fawcett car wash in downtown New Boston vacuuming a truck when they discovered a gun under the seat, New Boston Police Chief Tony King said.
The truck belongs to Chad Duffer, a local businessman and former New Boston Independent School District school board president, who had hired Jones and Conkleton to perform odd jobs, the chief said.
C o n k l e t o n and Jones had washed Duffer’s truck at Duffer’s home earlier in evening car wash to vacuum it, he said.
Williams, who was driving his car, pulled alongside the pair at the car wash, and the students found the gun in the truck and believed it was either unloaded or did not have a round in the chamber.
Conkleton apparently pointed the gun at Williams and pulled the trigger, firing off a round that struck Williams in the chest, King said.
A few more rounds were intentionally fired to draw attention because there was no cellphone available, and Conkleton and Jones placed Williams in the truck to take him to a hospital, King said.
They drove a few feet before spotting a New Boston police car, and the group pulled back into the car wash and flagged down the officer.
The officer took Williams out of the truck to render aid, but he was dead, King said.
Conkleton was detained but released after questioning, and no arrests have been made.
King said the shooting appears to be accidental, with no evidence of malice or intent.
The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy.
On Thursday, NBISD SuperintendentGaryVanDeaver said the district is in shock.
“It’s a tragedy. We’re doing everything we can to reach out to the students and families affected. We are offering counseling, even though school is not in session,” he said.
VanDeaver said he anticipates Conkleton and Jones will be in school when the new school year begins Monday.
A varsity football scrimmage planned for Thursday night in New Boston was canceled.
Police were on scene until the early morning hours Thursday, and on Wednesday night had cordoned off a large area surrounding the car wash and T&P Trailhead Park.
The car wash is south of the park.
A crowd of more than 100 people, including NBISD school administrators and students, gathered Wednesday night to watch as police worked the scene.
Family members later retrieved Williams’ car.
Officers with Bowie County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety assisted with the investigation.
[email protected]
NEW BOSTON, Texas
Family, community hold vigil
Teammates, officials, others honor fallen football player
By Paige Alexander Texarkana Gazette
NEW BOSTON, Texas—The New Boston Lions were set to play a scrimmage Thursday night, but the football stadium instead became the site of a vigil for a fallen player.
Members of the football team, student body, school administration and community gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Semaj Williams, a New Boston High School senior who died in an accidental shooting Wednesday night.
Family members were also in the crowd, which mostly filled the homeside stands.
The football team, carrying candles, filed from the field house to the bleachers at the start of the vigil.
The school’s roster lists Williams as a tight end and defensive end on the varsity team.
The Rev. Monte Young of Antioch Baptist Church offered words of condolence to the crowd.
“Even in this hour of tragedy, I want to remind us of the goodness of God,” he said.
Young said tragic situations are perplexing in that something good can come from bad, but also comforting, as the presence of God is made known.
He pointed to the book of James, and said people must be patient and let trials run their course.
“It will work out for our good,” Young said.
Williams was remembered as a “great soul,” evidenced by the large crowd at the vigil, he said.
“Semaj has sent a message to us … throughout this school year, you must
“make the right choice, because the wrong choice ultimately leads to tragedy,” Young said.
The stadium lights were dimmed as candles were lit, and the crowd sang “This Little Light of Mine,” followed by “Amazing Grace.” Donations for the Williams family were taken at the gate, and an account for the family has been set up at Wells Fargo bank. Police said Williams was shot by fellow teammate and senior Aaron Conkleton at a downtown car wash about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The shooting was accidental, and the body has been sent to Dallas for an autopsy, police said. No arrests have been made.
[email protected]
We have been on a good run the last few years and were picked to do very well again this season. Texas Football had us in the championship game in 2A. I don't know how this kid can ever keep his mind on football after this.
There are some things I don't understand like three senior starters out at that hour the night before a game. I remember back in the olden days when I was playing at NBHS we were called by the coaching staff to make sure we were at home and not out the night before any game.
That someone I know to be of good character leaving a loaded pistol in his truck and turning it over to kids. Still I don't how 17 year olds didn't know better to point a gun at someone and pull the trigger no matter what they thought about it being loaded. Just a bad situation that may never be fully explained that ended very badly.
By Paige Alexander Texarkana Gazette
NEW BOSTON, Texas—The accidental shooting death of a New Boston High School student athlete on Wednesday occurred after a gun was discovered in a former school board president’s truck, an official said.
Police say Semaj Williams, a senior at New Boston High School and member of the varsity football team, was accidentally shot about 9:30 p.m. by Aaron Conkleton, a NBHS senior and the school’s football quarterback.
The pair, along with senior and fellow football player Jaylyn Jones, was at the Fawcett car wash in downtown New Boston vacuuming a truck when they discovered a gun under the seat, New Boston Police Chief Tony King said.
The truck belongs to Chad Duffer, a local businessman and former New Boston Independent School District school board president, who had hired Jones and Conkleton to perform odd jobs, the chief said.
C o n k l e t o n and Jones had washed Duffer’s truck at Duffer’s home earlier in evening car wash to vacuum it, he said.
Williams, who was driving his car, pulled alongside the pair at the car wash, and the students found the gun in the truck and believed it was either unloaded or did not have a round in the chamber.
Conkleton apparently pointed the gun at Williams and pulled the trigger, firing off a round that struck Williams in the chest, King said.
A few more rounds were intentionally fired to draw attention because there was no cellphone available, and Conkleton and Jones placed Williams in the truck to take him to a hospital, King said.
They drove a few feet before spotting a New Boston police car, and the group pulled back into the car wash and flagged down the officer.
The officer took Williams out of the truck to render aid, but he was dead, King said.
Conkleton was detained but released after questioning, and no arrests have been made.
King said the shooting appears to be accidental, with no evidence of malice or intent.
The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy.
On Thursday, NBISD SuperintendentGaryVanDeaver said the district is in shock.
“It’s a tragedy. We’re doing everything we can to reach out to the students and families affected. We are offering counseling, even though school is not in session,” he said.
VanDeaver said he anticipates Conkleton and Jones will be in school when the new school year begins Monday.
A varsity football scrimmage planned for Thursday night in New Boston was canceled.
Police were on scene until the early morning hours Thursday, and on Wednesday night had cordoned off a large area surrounding the car wash and T&P Trailhead Park.
The car wash is south of the park.
A crowd of more than 100 people, including NBISD school administrators and students, gathered Wednesday night to watch as police worked the scene.
Family members later retrieved Williams’ car.
Officers with Bowie County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety assisted with the investigation.
[email protected]
NEW BOSTON, Texas
Family, community hold vigil
Teammates, officials, others honor fallen football player
By Paige Alexander Texarkana Gazette
NEW BOSTON, Texas—The New Boston Lions were set to play a scrimmage Thursday night, but the football stadium instead became the site of a vigil for a fallen player.
Members of the football team, student body, school administration and community gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Semaj Williams, a New Boston High School senior who died in an accidental shooting Wednesday night.
Family members were also in the crowd, which mostly filled the homeside stands.
The football team, carrying candles, filed from the field house to the bleachers at the start of the vigil.
The school’s roster lists Williams as a tight end and defensive end on the varsity team.
The Rev. Monte Young of Antioch Baptist Church offered words of condolence to the crowd.
“Even in this hour of tragedy, I want to remind us of the goodness of God,” he said.
Young said tragic situations are perplexing in that something good can come from bad, but also comforting, as the presence of God is made known.
He pointed to the book of James, and said people must be patient and let trials run their course.
“It will work out for our good,” Young said.
Williams was remembered as a “great soul,” evidenced by the large crowd at the vigil, he said.
“Semaj has sent a message to us … throughout this school year, you must
“make the right choice, because the wrong choice ultimately leads to tragedy,” Young said.
The stadium lights were dimmed as candles were lit, and the crowd sang “This Little Light of Mine,” followed by “Amazing Grace.” Donations for the Williams family were taken at the gate, and an account for the family has been set up at Wells Fargo bank. Police said Williams was shot by fellow teammate and senior Aaron Conkleton at a downtown car wash about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The shooting was accidental, and the body has been sent to Dallas for an autopsy, police said. No arrests have been made.
[email protected]
We have been on a good run the last few years and were picked to do very well again this season. Texas Football had us in the championship game in 2A. I don't know how this kid can ever keep his mind on football after this.
There are some things I don't understand like three senior starters out at that hour the night before a game. I remember back in the olden days when I was playing at NBHS we were called by the coaching staff to make sure we were at home and not out the night before any game.
That someone I know to be of good character leaving a loaded pistol in his truck and turning it over to kids. Still I don't how 17 year olds didn't know better to point a gun at someone and pull the trigger no matter what they thought about it being loaded. Just a bad situation that may never be fully explained that ended very badly.
