Father of 11 fatally shields 8-month-old baby from gunfire

A father from North Carolina was fatally shot while he was holding his baby.

Devonelle Brimage, a 36-year-old father of 11, was fatally shot near Latham Avenue in Plymouth early on April 2, as reported by the Plymouth Police Department in a press release.

The gunfire occurred as he sat in a vehicle with another man, 38-year-old Avione Linquad Webb, and an 8-month-old child who, according to Police Chief Louis Banks and WITN, was Brimage's baby.

The mother of the baby shared with the outlet that Brimage was holding the child when the shooting occurred, as reported by Banks.

Police officers reached the location around 1:34am and discovered Brimage unresponsive, suffering from multiple gunshot injuries. Brimage, Webb, and the baby were in a vehicle parked at Brimage’s home, Banks informed WITN.

The baby's injuries were described as “non-life-threatening” and they were taken to a nearby hospital, while Brimage was declared deceased at the scene, indicated Plymouth police.

Police mentioned that Webb, who also sustained gunshot injuries, along with the 8-month-old, were transported to Washington Regional Medical Center. 

Webb was subsequently moved to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville for additional care.

The child was discharged from the hospital, police confirmed. It remains uncertain if Webb continues to be hospitalised due to his injuries.

The Plymouth Police Department did not offer an immediate response to PEOPLE’s request for comment on April 11.

As per police, the April 2 incident remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe was initiated to help cover Brimage’s funeral costs and aid his family, acknowledging that the father died in a bid to protect his little one.

“In those final moments, he exhibited immense bravery and love—using his body to shield his 8-month-old,” the GoFundMe page describes. 

“This act shows the kind of man he was: generous, protective, and loving towards his family.”