SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The funeral of 10-year-old Keith "KJ" Frierson was held Saturday afternoon, allowing friends, family, classmates and others to mourn the loss of the boy shot and killed in December.
The family is still looking for justice for their loss as the 10-year-old accused of shooting him won’t face charges — but his father will.
Brittani Frierson, KJ’s mother, recounted the last moments she had with her 10-year-old Dec. 30, 2023. They were putting away groceries and he was headed outside to play.
"I promise to still show up as your mom. I will fight for you and what’s right and what was done to you will not go unheard, it will not go unheard," said Frierson.
With only a decade to leave his mark, KJ is remembered well.
"He cared more about his peers and family then he did himself. He really loved math and learning and wanting a challenge and he really encouraged everyone to do their best," said Monelle Valdellon, KJ's teacher.
His classmates say things are not right without him. His brother Cecil now has to walk home alone. Lerrell Charlton and many others now are without a teammate.
"He was cool. We would play basketball together play football and he would always be chill," said Charlton.
Bri’elle Murphy also remembers him fondly.
"He was funny and he had a good spirit at school and he would make anybody smile, he would never try to hurt anybody," said Murphy.
KJ’s Aunt, Tajha Charles, says what she has learned from this situation is something she hopes all families realize before it’s too late.
"You miss out on things and then stuff like this makes you realize that you should be there for each other," said Charles.
The accused 10-year-old shooter was originally arrested but is no longer facing charges and has since returned home. His father Arkete Davis was arrested in connection to the shooting and is facing many charges including: criminal storage of a gun, endangering the life and safety of a child and destroying evidence.
Prosecutors say Davis threw the gun into a trash can after the shooting. Because this is a juvenile case, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office hasn’t publicly released much information.
WATCH MORE: 10-year-old previously accused in deadly Sacramento County shooting is back home, family says
