7-year-old boy dies after being shot during domestic incident, SC sheriff says

A 7-year-old South Carolina boy has died days after being shot during a domestic incident, according to the Newberry County sheriff’s office.

The boy died Monday at a Columbia hospital, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday. Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece identified the child as Iven James Caldwell. An autopsy is expected Tuesday.

X’Zavier Sharif Davis, 26, who was charged with four counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, now faces a count of murder for the boy’s death, the sheriff’s office said.

Newberry County deputies were called to the county hospital just after 3 a.m. Saturday, where they found that the mother and one of her children had been shot.

Deputies say the child was shot Saturday after a “domestic argument,” when Davis returned to the home where he lived with a woman and her three children, The State reported previously. Davis is not the biological father of Iven, the sheriff’s office said.

Iven was later taken to a Columbia hospital because of the severity of his injuries, the sheriff’s office said. He died around 2 p.m. Monday.

“As a parent, my heart just aches for the mother and children who had to watch this child be shot and eventually die from this senseless act of violence,” Sheriff Lee Foster said in a statement Tuesday. “It is simply abhorrent to me that this child’s life was taken because of the willful, senseless, and reckless actions of this suspect.”

Iven was a student at Gallman Elementary School in Newberry, according to Pamela Arrington, chief human resources officer for the School District of Newberry County.

“Iven Caldwell was funny, loving, had many friends, charismatic, a true people person, and had the most beautiful, infectious smile,” Gallman Elementary School principal Nikki Hunter said in a release. “He worked hard and never gave up even if the work was difficult. We were blessed to have him be a part of our Gator Family.”

Several counselors were at the district’s elementary and middle schools Tuesday to assist with any needs of the students and faculty, the district said.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

This story was originally published April 23, 2019 at 9:29 AM.