High School Wrestler Shot and Killed by Friend During Contest

In Hampshire, Illinois, Deegan Kirschke, a 17-year-old high school wrestler, was unintentionally shot and killed by his friend, Keyshaun D. Davis, age 20, during a contest to see who could disassemble a gun the fastest. Kirschke and another friend were visiting Davis, when he took his mother’s gun from her bedroom, and at some point pulled the loaded gun’s trigger striking Kirschke in the abdomen. Davis has been charged on multiple counts including involuntary manslaughter, endangering the life or health of a child, and reckless discharge of a firearm.

“Deegan was more than just a 17-year-old kid. He was a son, a grandson, a teammate and a friend. 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,” said his family in a statement.

Source:

John Garcia, “Hampshire High School Wrestler Shot, Killed in Suburban Home: Family,” abc7chicago.com (August 18, 2025).