New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

Community unites after New Kent teenager dies on basketball court

By Andre Jones | July 20, 2015 11:55 am

Maurice Bey

Photo courtesy of the family and friends of Maurice Bey.

Maurice Bey, a rising sophomore at New Kent High School, died on July 15 shortly after a routine pick-up basketball game at Quinton Park.

The 15-year old teenager was resting between games around 7 p.m. that evening. Witnesses said that Bey began to have trouble breathing and paramedics responded to the scene. Emergency crews performed CPR before he was taken to a local medical facility where he was pronounced dead.

Bey’s death becomes the latest in a list of tragedies involving youth in the county of New Kent. Over the last three years, six students enrolled in New Kent schools have lost their lives.

“He was a phenomenal athlete,” said Kaleb Lamb, New Kent’s junior varsity head basketball coach, who had the privilege to coach Bey. “He was unique and he loved the game.”

More reflections of Maurice’s life spread across social media. Praise for the young man and his impact on others flooded timelines, causing others to give testimony about how much he meant to them, as well as the New Kent community.

“He was such a caring, outgoing kid,” said Alicia Akrie-Williams, who was Bey’s camp leader and counselor for several years. “He was very quiet, but when he got to know you, he was a talker.

“He had the most beautiful eyes and would help out with anything you would ask him to do,” Akrie-Williams continued. “He would still come up to me and hug me whenever he saw me. He was never selfish and my heart is heavy because it’s like I lost one of my own.”

As expected, when word about Bey’s passing spread, the New Kent community stepped up. New Kent superintendent of schools David Myers opened the doors for the family to hold a memorial service.

“We definitely have our hearts and prayers with them,” said Myers. “I have been thinking about this since last week and it has been weighing heavily on me.

“We have school counselors and psychologists available right now and will have them available for students when school starts,” he continued. “It’s a small community but we know how tight-knit the community is. The strength is the community to come together and New Kent schools are part of this community.”

While the family has not released an official statement, his father, Maurice Bey Sr., sent out a thank you to community via social media.

“I’d like to thank everyone, and I mean everyone, for all the prayers, support, food, and kind words in dedication of my son,” he said. “The New Kent community is truly amazing, sincerely.”

“I will not say rest in peace and you shouldn’t either,” the elder Bey continued. “My son was a thought of the most high, and thoughts of the most high do not die, rest or sleep! They live… forever.”

A candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday, July 21 at Quinton Park. More than 300 family and friends flooded the pavilion. Tributes to Maurice included testimonial from teachers and coaches, singing from family members and classmates, reflections from family members, and the releasing of balloons into the atmosphere as a sign of strength and unity.

A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, July 25, at New Kent High School.

Family and friends have established a GoFundMe account to help the family offset funeral experiences. To make a donation, visit http://www.gofundme.com/zjfcbs.

Family and friends release balloons into the air during a Tuesday vigil honoring the student-athlete.

Family and friends release balloons into the air during a Tuesday vigil honoring the student-athlete.