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A challenge over who could take apart and reassemble a 9 mm handgun the fastest ended with a 17-year-old Hampshire teen being shot to death by his 20-year-old friend, who now faces involuntary manslaughter and other charges.
Deegan Kirschke, a Hampshire High School student and member of the school’s wrestling team, died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen sometime after 11:30 p.m. at a residence in the 100 block of High Street in Hampshire, officials said.
Keyshaun D. Davis, 20, of Hampshire, was arrested on Kane County charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the life or health of a child, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a FOID card and possession of ammunition without a FOID card.
At a pretrial release hearing Monday, Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Scott told Judge Sal LoPiccolo that Davis, Kirschke and two others had been at Davis’ home in Hampshire when they took a gun from his mother’s room and held a contest on who could disassemble and reassemble it the fastest.
The group had been taking videos of each other, and at some point Davis fired the weapon and discharged the bullet that struck Kirschke, Scott said. Police arrived to find Kirschke on the couch, where he was later pronounced dead.
Davis cooperated with police, and the two witnesses corroborated his account of what happened, Scott said.
Scott asked LoPiccolo to keep Davis in custody in the Kane County jail pending his trial, saying he posed a “real and present threat to the community” as evidenced by his alleged actions. He admitted to police that he had taken his mother’s gun in the past, she said.
“By playing these games with his friends, (Davis) acted in a reckless manner,” Scott said.
Assistant Public Defender Marie Henning argued that Davis should be released because he doesn’t have a violent history, has not previously been charged with a violent crime and is to start a new job soon. Prosecutors failed to show he was a danger to the community, she said.
LoPiccolo agreed tp Davis’ release under the conditions that he not possess a firearm or apply for a FOID card.
Davis answered, “Yes, Sir,” when asked by the judge if he understood the provisions being set. Throughout the hearing, he held his head down and, at times, wept.
His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.
Members of the the Kirschke and Davis families attended the hearing but declined to comment.
However, Kirschke’s uncle, Jeff Folk, released a statement about his nephew, saying his family was “devastated” by what happened and describing him as far more than just a 17-year-old kid.
“He was a son, a grandson, a teammate and a friend,” Folk said in his statement. “He was a high school wrestler who worked hard on the mat and carried that same determination and kindness into every part of his life. His smile, his energy and the way he cared for others made him unforgettable to everyone who knew him.
“We want people to remember him as a young man with dreams, potential and a future that was stolen. Our hope is that his voice will carry forward and inspire change so no other family has to go through this kind of pain,” he said.
Community School District 300 and the Hampshire High School Wrestling Department also issued statements about Deegan’s death and urged students to seek help for their grief.
“It is with deep sadness that we recognize the loss of a good wrestler, friend and person. Deegan was truly one of a kind,” the wrestling department’s tribute read. “He knew how to have fun, but also knew how to work. He lit up a room when he walked in. He always stepped up when asked. He will be missed. Whips, don’t be afraid to check in on each other and reach out. We are here for you.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Originally Published:
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