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William Miller Jr: Teen killed in Mt Tabor school shooting lost dad to gun violence

Law enforcement described a scene of scared students hiding, not knowing what was going during the shooting at Mount Tabor high school

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA: A teenage boy from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was fatally shot by his classmate, a 15-year-old boy who has not been named. The victim was identified as William Chavis Renard Miller Jr., whose mother desperately appealed to all parents for alerting the children against the perils of gun violence. William Chavis died tragically on Wednesday, September 1, when confronted by the suspect. 

His mother Shannon Clark had been visibly upset ever since she heard the news. "I didn't get a chance to tell my baby I love him," she said. As per later reports, the suspect has been taken into custody by law enforcement officials. He has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and weapons offenses. The incident happened to be North Carolina's second school shooting in three days after another 15-year-old was arrested on August 30 for shooting a fellow student at New Hanover High School.

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Who was William Chavis Renard Miller Jr? 

According to Winston-Salem Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus, William was a "great kid and very much loved by his parents and teachers." He was the second eldest among his four siblings and is survived by an older sister, a younger brother, and another baby sister.

William was almost raised single-handedly by their mother Shannon after he tragically lost his father William Chavis Miller in a shootout in January 2006. He was 22-year-old at the time when he became a victim of gun violence in Winston-Salem. As per court documents, Miller Sr was ambushed and shot in an incident of revenge after he allegedly opened fire on a rival using an AK-47. 

His son William Chavis' tragic death was confirmed by the Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson who gave an emotional briefing, saying, "A student was found with a gunshot wound. He succumbed to his injuries. I haven't cried in awhile, but I haven't stopped crying since I left the hospital ... While I'm sad, I'm sure mad as hell."

Meanwhile, William's devastated mother shared that she wants to "tell the mothers to tell their babies to put their guns down because it's senseless."

No other students were injured in the shooting. Law enforcement described a scene of scared students hiding, not knowing what was going during the shooting. North Carolina Gov. Ray Cooper offered his condolences after the shooting.