In the summer of 2021, the life of 16-year-old Matthew Hartman Robertson was tragically cut short in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina. On the afternoon of Monday, July 26, 2021, he was discovered shot inside a gold-colored SUV parked on West Main Street. Despite the efforts of responding police officers, Matthew, a male, died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the arrest of another teenager.
A 15-year-old male, later identified as Frederick Floyd Jr., was taken into custody the day after the incident. Investigators determined that the two teenagers knew each other and had arranged to meet under the pretense of a marijuana sale. However, the motive for the fatal encounter was determined to be robbery, with Floyd targeting Robertson. Evidence, including text messages and surveillance video from the parking lot, was collected by the Rock Hill Police Department.
Frederick Floyd Jr. was initially charged as a juvenile with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, illegal carrying of a gun, and possession of a handgun by someone under the age of 18. The case was later transferred to adult court after an agreement between the prosecution and Floyd's defense. In March 2023, 17-year-old Floyd pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 12 years in a South Carolina prison and will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.
