A 16-year-old boy let out a keening wail as he collapsed in court after being told he would be tried for murder as an adult and denied bail.
Sean Simpson is charged with the shooting murder of 16-year-old Zaquavious Dawkins last month in Gastonia, North Carolina.
The alleged teen killer broke down in court, sobbing and screaming as he learned he would not be released on bail and will have to face the law as an adult.
Simpson began wiping his eyes as the judge could be heard saying 'hold without bond,' footage obtained by QueenCityNews shows.
The teenager, whose wrists were cuffed together, then staggered to one side as he began to faint.
He was prevented from falling to the floor by a deputy standing next to him, who let Simpson rest on his shoulder.
Simpson then opened his mouth to let out an anguished cry and leaned forward heavily as the two deputies on either side of him held on to him.
A new state law enacted by North Carolina in December 2024 means that 16 and 17 year-olds can now be charged as adults for certain crimes, including murder.
Simpson is believed to be one of the first teenagers to be tried under the new law.
Simpson allegedly fired on Dawkins and another victim as they walked on a road following a schoolyard fight, as reported by the Gaston Gazette.
Sean Simpson, 16, broke down in court and almost fainted on learning he'd be charged as an adult with the shooting murder of another boy the same age
Simpson let out a keening wail and had to be steadied by deputies on discovering he would not be freed on bond over last month's killing of Zaquavious Dawkins
He is also accused of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at the other unnamed victim, who was injured but survived.
Dawkin's family was also seen overcome with emotion during the court hearing on January 29.
On the day of the shooting, Dawkins and his friend were walking home from a Family Dollar when a black Tesla drove past them.
A boy in the back passenger seat - later identified as Simpson by Dawkins' friend - began yelling at them.
The Tesla turned and drove back towards them. Simpson is said to have begun shooting from the back seat, before striking and killing Dawkins.
Simpson and Dawkins are said to have fought with one another at school the previous year.
It is unclear why the feud flared up again on the day of Dawkins' murder.
Police arrested Simpson two days later at a center for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties where he was receiving treatment.
Simpson told police he had an alibi for the time of the murder.
Dawkins, pictured, was walking home with a friend when an assailant said to be Simpson opened fire on the pair from the back of a Tesla, killing Dawkins
Prosecutors say Dawkins was found dead in a parking lot with a gunshot to the right shoulder.
Simpson now faces a potential grand jury indictment for Dawkins' murder.
North Carolina passed a 'Raise the Age' law in 2019 that meant children aged 16 and 17 were tried with crimes in juvenile court.
The law was aimed at reducing reoffending and helping teens avoid the stigma of having a criminal record.
But the Raise the Age law was amended in December 2024 so that 16 and 17 year olds charged with more serious felonies had their cases heard in adult court.
