LaGrange, Ga. was shaken on the night of March 25 when 22‑year‑old Nyquarious Gates was shot and later died at the hospital in what authorities describe as a tragic accident. Family and friends said Gates was in good spirits earlier that evening, spending time with people at an apartment on North Cary Street when an unthinkable moment changed everything.
Police were called just before 9 p.m. to the Wood Glen Apartments after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found Gates with a gunshot wound. Paramedics rushed him to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. The sudden loss hit loved ones hard, as Gates was known for his easy laugh and the way he made others feel comfortable around him.
Investigators say the shooting happened inside the apartment when a 12‑year‑old boy was handling a loaded handgun. The firearm discharged and Gates was struck as he asked the young boy to put the weapon down. The scene was chaotic, family said, and neighbors immediately called for help.
The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with involuntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm. Law enforcement officials emphasized the heartbreaking nature of the incident, stressing that it appeared to be an accident rather than an intentional act.
Friends and relatives who gathered in the days since described Gates as a kind brother and a loyal friend. They recalled family dinners and moments where his smile would brighten up a room. His loss has opened a wound in the community that residents say won’t heal quickly.
Plans for a public memorial and celebration of Gates’s life are being organized by his family. In place of flowers, they have asked people to honor his memory with acts of kindness and generosity — qualities they say he showed every day he was alive.
