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Knoxville planning to build park in honor of Zaevion Dobson

In this Dec. 18, 2015, file photo, Zack Dobson, bottom right, lights candles to honor his slain brother, Zaevion Dobson, at Sam E. Hill Park in Knoxville. Zaevion Dobson, a Tennessee high school football player who was shot to death while shielding two girls from gunfire, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the July 2016 ESPYs ceremony.
In this Dec. 18, 2015, file photo, Zack Dobson, bottom right, lights candles to honor his slain brother, Zaevion Dobson, at Sam E. Hill Park in Knoxville. Zaevion Dobson, a Tennessee high school football player who was shot to death while shielding two girls from gunfire, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the July 2016 ESPYs ceremony.

By Associated Press 2 min read

KNOXVILLE – Officials are planning a memorial park in Knoxville that will honor a 15-year-old who died shielding two girls from gunfire.

The site of the proposed park in the Lonsdale neighborhood is just feet away from where Zaevion Dobson was killed in December during what police have called a gang-related shooting, according to media outlets. No one has been charged in Dobson’s death.

Zenobia Dobson, Zaevion Dobson’s mother, suggested the park as a safe space for children to play, said city spokesman Eric Vreeland.

“I feel for the kid whose parent doesn’t want to take them anywhere (to play), or can’t,” Zenobia Dobson said at the time.

Zaevion Dobson Memorial Playground and Park will cost about $60,000. Knoxville’s Community Development Corp. and steel company Gerdau have agreed to donate land for the park. Knoxville’s Community Development Corp. will own and operate the playground.