The University of the Cumberlands is mourning the loss of a senior baseball player as authorities investigate his shooting death in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the meantime, police are using the media to ask for witnesses.
According to Charlotte Metropolitan Police, Zachary Finch died on June 18, 2017, which happened to be Father’s Day.
Zachary’s brother Nicholas Finch told WCNC that Zachary was staying at their parent’s house in Mint Hill for the summer. He said that Zachary was meeting people to buy a cell phone from the LetGo app when whoever he met attempted to rob him. Nicholas said CMPD told him that Zachary ran to his car and was shot in the back. Police would not confirm the activity that brought Zachary to the park, but said it was legal.
http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html
WCNC reports that the 21-year-old was pronounced dead at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Farmer Street in Charlotte. No arrests have been made yet.
Nicholas said that his family has heavy hearts and are shocked by his brother’s death. At a news conference Tuesday, he pleaded for tips from the public.
“It sounds cliche, but he was a good kid,” Finch spoke, holding back tears.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Zach Finch,” said UC President Larry Cockrum in a news article from the college. “Zach was an incredible young man with a very bright future. We ask the entire Cumberlands family to join in praying for Zach’s family and friends during this terribly difficult time.”
Finch’s head baseball coach Brad Shelton added those who were close to Finch can only take in the information, pray and reflect on who Zach was.
“I’ve been in touch with his dad some and, you know, we loved Zach and he was a very important part of our campus and our program and we just, we are praying for them,” Shelton stated. “As a team and a program, obviously we want to do something to honor Zach at some point.”
Vice President for Student Services at the University of the Cumberlands Dr. Emily Coleman mentioned that Zachary Finch’s memorable personality will be missed once the fall semester returns.
“He just had this infectious smile, he was so positive, he would drop anything to help someone, to hold a door open, to provide assistance and it’s just that servant Christian heart that made an impact on this campus. If we can take a little bit of that positivity that Zach had and applied it to our daily lives, that would be great that we could learn from this loss.”
Counseling services are being offered for UC students, faculty, and staff. For a referral, call Jodi Carroll, MSW, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health, at 606-539-3553 or email jodi.carroll@ucumberlands.edu.
Anyone with information about Finch’s death is encouraged to contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department at 704-336-7600.
Loved ones have set up a Gofundme page to pay for funeral costs and expenses. Click here to see the online donation page.