On Monday evening, a group of New Canaan Baptist Church gathered in the Erwin Park Community Center in Gastonia and Bad.
Pastor Monica Colbert speaks during a prayer vigil in honor of Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins Monday evening, 3 February 2025, outside the Erwin Park Community Center in North Pryor Street.
Under the leadership of pastor Monica Colbert, the group held a wake to honor and mourn the 16-year-old Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins, a Gastonia teenager who was shot and killed while he was a message for his mother January 26. Another teenager, 16-year-old Sean Simpson was accused of murder in the first degree in the death of Dawkins. Simpson is also accused of trying to kill someone who was at Dawkins.
Dawkins went to New Canaan and was a member of the Church Youth Group, said Colbert.
“I just wanted to call the community for prayer, and we believe that when we pray, God answers,” she said.
Dr. Angela Houser and many others participate in a prayer vigil in honor of Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins Monday evening, 3 February 2025, outside the Erwin Park Community Center in North Pryor Street.
On Tuesday, Colbert preached at the funeral of Dawkins.
“He was not someone in trouble. All his teachers and coaches and everyone is talking about what a good boy he was,” she said. “And we know because he was part of our youth department.”
“We have videos of him singing, reading the Scripture, praying,” she added.
Colbert said that the meeting in honor of Dawkins was very important.
Many participated in a prayer vigil in honor of Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins Monday evening, 3 February 2025, outside the Erwin Park Community Center in North Pryor Street.
“We have to come together and work together, and this is just the beginning,” she said. “I think our youth, they don’t have enough to do. Positive activities and positive mentors. We need mentors.”
Zaquavious “Tank” Dawkins, 16, was killed in a shooting on Sunday evening. Another 16-year-old boy has been arrested.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Group Holds Prayer Vigil Mourning Gastonia, NC, Teen