In Plymouth, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a 56-year-old youth baseball coach was shot in the head and killed.
Jay Boughton was driving home from a baseball game with his 15-year-old son when he got into an argument with another driver around 10 p.m. Tuesday night.
The details of what happened remain unclear, but the driver of a bright SUV shot Mr. Boughton in the head before he drove away. The father and coach lost control of his car, crashed through a chain link fence, and into vehicles parked in a parking lot in a residential complex.
The son gave CPR to his father until the paramedics arrived. Mr. Boughton was taken to North Memorial Health Hospital, where he subsequently died. He leaves behind his son, wife and 13-year-old daughter.
The shooter was not arrested. The son was also treated in the hospital, but has since left him.
As an assistant coach to the Armstrong-Cooper Youth Baseball Association, Mr. Boughton was described by friends as a “wonderful person” and “pillar of the community.”
The Armstrong-Cooper Youth Baseball Association issued a statement saying, “The futility of this act is incomprehensible.”
“We shared a lot of emails today about Jay and what a wonderful coach, parent and husband he was. Jay was one of those people who would do anything for anyone with a smile, anytime, ”added the ACYBA. “The ACYBA Board of Directors expresses our deepest condolences to the Boughton family.”
Plymouth Police Chief Erik Fadden said during a press conference on Wednesday: “This was one of the most tragic events I have witnessed in my 20 years in the police force. It was truly a pointless act that resulted in the loss of a human life and our thoughts and prayers go with family, friends and those affected by this terrible event.
Scot Cybyske, a longtime friend of Mr. Boughton’s, told KSTP that he “was always positive and always clapped. The boys could be 15 runs behind and he encouraged individuals. He never raised his voice. Cool, calm and collected ”.
“I’ve seen friends die, but I’ve never had a friend murdered,” said Joe Higgins. “And to let him die that way is just shocking. It’s hard to turn your head. “
Another friend told WCCO, “Jay was just your typical American boy. He grew up as a boy scout and boy scout. “
“He was a good father, a good family man,” added the friend. “He was involved, a very dedicated father. His wife and children will only hurt without him. “
