ELLERBE — The Cordova Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its junior firefighters following a fatal weekend shooting.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home on Wallace Road in Ellerbe in response to a teenager with a gunshot wound after receiving a call around 3:34 p.m. Sunday, June 22.
Investigators say the victim, 16-year-old Gabriel Ennis, of Hamlet, was at a friend’s home when he was shot and later pronounced dead at the scene.
The friend’s mother, her boyfriend and a small child were also at the home at the time, according to the sheriff’s office.
The type of gun is currently being withheld.
Also responding were the Ellerbe Rescue Squad, FirstHealth EMS and a local examiner with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Cordova Fire and Rescue transported Ennis’ body to the hospital after the scene was processed, according to the sheriff’s office.
The department posted the following to social media about Ennis on Monday:
“Junior Firefighter Gabriel 'Gabe' Ennis was the kind of individual any agency would be proud to have on their roster. From the moment he walked through our doors, Gabe was eager to learn and embraced every bit of knowledge shared by his fellow members.
He had a heart full of compassion — always quick to lend a hand and even quicker to make others smile. Gabe especially loved spending time with the firefighters’ children when they visited the station, and he never passed up an opportunity to volunteer at the Krystal Dawn Retreat, where his kindness shined through in his love for those with special needs.
He poured countless hours into training — not only here at Cordova, but across the county, where he trained alongside other junior firefighters, always striving to be his best and lift others around him.
No words can fully express the pain we are feeling today. This tragic loss leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.
We ask that the community continue to lift up Gabe’s family, his fire service family, and every life he touched in your prayers.
Rest easy, Gabe. Your legacy of kindness, service, and love will never be forgotten. We’ll take it from here."
The sheriff’s office said Monday that the case was still under investigation.
