Top basketball recruit, 19, who was committed to play for Missouri State dies in accidental shooting

A top basketball recruit, who was committed to play for missouri State University in the fall, was killed in an accidental shooting Monday night. Ashley 'AJ' James, 19, was killed when he and another man were handling a handgun at an apartment in the 600 block of Montauk Lane.

A top basketball recruit, who was committed to play for missouri State University in the fall, was killed in an accidental shooting Monday night.  

Ashley 'AJ' James, 19, was killed when he and another man were handling a handgun at an apartment in the 600 block of Montauk Lane. 

In a statement, Chesapeake police said while James and the man were holding the gun, it accidentally went off, killing James. 

Top basketball recruit Ashley 'AJ' James, 19, of Virginia, who was committed to play for Missouri State University in the fall, was killed in an accidental shooting Monday night Ashley 'AJ' James

Top basketball recruit Ashley 'AJ' James, 19, of Virginia, who was committed to play for Missouri State University in the fall, was killed in an accidental shooting Monday night

When authorities responded to the apartment they found James suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury. 

'After consultation with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office it was determined that no criminal charges would be filed at this time,' police said in the statement. 

James was a top basketball recruit who officially committed to Missouri State University in January.  

He was a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who also had offers from East Tennessee State, Fresno State, Murray State, VCU and Saint Louis, among others.

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James, who was a graduate of Green Run High School, was playing basketball as a postgraduate at Hargrave Military Academy, according to the school's website.

He was a two-time first-team All-State selection at Green Run in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Friends and others who knew James took to social media following the news of his death. 

'Crazy really going to be my teammate next year praying for the James family,' Missouri State freshman Isiaih Mosley tweeted on Tuesday.

James (pictured) was a top basketball recruit who officially committed to Missouri State University in January. He was a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who also had offers from East Tennessee State, Fresno State, Murray State, VCU and Saint Louis, among others

James (pictured) was a top basketball recruit who officially committed to Missouri State University in January. He was a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who also had offers from East Tennessee State, Fresno State, Murray State, VCU and Saint Louis, among others

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