Basketball recruit Ashley James dies in accidental shooting

Ashley James, a three-star shooting guard for the 2020 recruiting class out of Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy who also known as AJ, died Monday evening in an accidental shooting, according to Chesapeake (Va.) Police Department spokesperson Leo Kosinksi. According to Larry Rubama of the Norfolk (Va.) Virginian-Pilot, Kosinski said that the 19-year-old James suffered a gunshot wound in the 600 block of Montauk Lane.

"Hardest day I’ve ever had as a coach," Hargrave Military Academy head coach Lee Martin told 247Sports' Evan Daniels. "AJ was a great young man."

James received emergency medical care after police responded to a report of an injured person. An investigation into the situation determined that he was at the location with another adult made and handling a handgun before it went off and killed him.

There was no criminal intent, according to Kosinski. Therefore, Kosinski said, no criminal charges were filed.

"On March 2, 2020 Chesapeake Police were called to an apartment just before midnight in the 600 block of Montauk Lane for a report of an injured person," Kosinski said in a statement sent to Jason Wert of OzarksIndependent.com. "Once there they located an adult male, identified as 19 year old Ashley James, who was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was provided emergency medical care but ended up dying from his injury. It was determined that he was at the location with another adult male. They were handling a handgun when it went off, ultimately killing the victim. Detectives responded to the scene. After consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office it was determined that no criminal charges would be filed at this time."

A high school graduate of Virginia Bech (Va.) Green Run for the 2019 class, James took to Twitter and announced April 30, 2019, that he would continue his postgraduate career at Hargrave Military Academy. He reportedly made his commitment Jan. 1 to Missouri State.

With the reported pledge to the Bears, James was set to become the first member of the 2020 class for head coach Dana Ford. James' 247Sports profile reported offers from East Tennessee State, Fresno State, Hampton, Hofstra, Murray State, Norfolk State, North Carolina AT&T, Saint Louis, USF and VCU.

James was the 247Sports Composite's No. 372 overall prospect, No. 80 shooting guard and No. 18 player in Virginia for the 2020 class. The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder picked up his first Power Five offer Dec. 9 when he announced a scholarship from Washington State.

A two-time first-team All-State selection at Green Run, James was named the Class 5 Region A Player of the Year and Beach District Player of the Year for the 2018-19 campaign, his senior year.