Man found guilty of shooting his son’s youth football coach over playing time

ST. LOUIS (TCN) — A 45-year-old man has been convicted of shooting his son’s 34-year-old youth football coach near a group of 9- and 10-year-old children.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office announced Feb. 28 that a jury found Daryl Clemmons guilty of assault and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting of Shaquille Latimore. He is set to be sentenced on March 13.

According to prosecutors, Clemmons and Latimore, a volunteer coach for the City Rec Legends Football League, were “at odds over the amount of playing time Clemmons’ son had been getting.” On Oct. 10, 2023, Clemmons and Latimore got into an argument during the defendant’s son’s practice. The district attorney’s office said both men were armed at the time.

Latimore reportedly gave his gun to a friend and “told Clemmons they should fight with fists,” but instead, the defendant shot Latimore five times and fled. Latimore was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

According to KTVI-TV, Latimore testified and claimed Clemmons had continued to shoot at him after he had fallen from the first gunshots.

Clemmons later turned himself in to police but reportedly said in court that he shot the victim in self-defense after Latimore had challenged him to a fight while holding a gun.

Clemmons’ brother told KSDK-TV that the defendant founded the football team but left after his son joined.

In a statement, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said, “Violence, especially in youth sports, is completely unacceptable and undermines the purpose of these programs –– teaching teamwork, discipline, and respect. This could easily have been a lethal encounter for the coach as well as for the children and family members present. Unfortunately, the trauma of this event will not be easily forgotten by all those who witnessed it.”

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