Twelve-year-old Melquan Kwame Robinson died after being electrocuted by a chain-link fence at Augusta’s Fleming Athletic Complex on Monday, October 15, 2018. Two boys who tried to pull him from the fence were also shocked and hospitalized; an adult was injured as well.

Melquan, a seventh-grader at Morgan Road Middle School, was at football practice when a ball went over the fence. According to a sheriff’s office report, he climbed over to retrieve it and was electrocuted as he came back. Deputies performed chest compressions before an ambulance took him to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where he was pronounced dead.

One of the injured boys, David Sette, had been moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room by Tuesday. His mother said he was doing better, though doctors remained concerned about blood levels associated with muscle breakdown. The other boy’s condition was not available.

Melquan’s former coach and family friend Don Clark described him as an energetic, athletic child who loved football, protected his younger siblings and dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. Melquan played for the Trinity Elite Titans, whose team expressed grief and support for his family. Clark said the loss also deeply affected friends, teammates and coaches, and he praised the courage of the boys who tried to save him.

The coroner’s office, sheriff’s office and city of Augusta planned separate investigations, including an inquiry into how the fence became electrified. Georgia Power said its preliminary investigation indicated that it did not control or maintain the voltage that energized the fences. The city canceled football activities at Fleming Park for the rest of the week, and the school system provided additional support to students and staff. A community vigil was planned for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Bernie Ward Community Center.