Anthony Frazier, a 14-year-old African American boy, was tragically shot and killed on January 2, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred while Anthony was in a car with his aunt, pulling up to a house on Finchley Drive after a birthday celebration. As they arrived, two men, Mangasha Clark and another individual, emerged from the bushes and began firing. Anthony was struck in the head, and his aunt drove to a nearby 7-11 on Eastway Drive for help.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Anthony succumbed to his injuries.
The case saw significant developments over the years. Mangasha Clark, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During the trial, Clark entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to 150-192 months in prison. The trial revealed that Clark had spoken about the shooting shortly after it occurred, even describing it as "fun." Anthony's father, a former Kannapolis Police Officer, was present in court to witness the proceedings.
In addition to Clark, another individual, Reginald Edmonds, was charged with felony accessory after the fact to murder. Edmonds, who was 17 years old at the time, faced charges for his involvement in the incident. The case highlighted the dangers faced by the families of police officers, as Anthony was the son of a Kannapolis police officer.
The trial for Clark began on June 6, 2022, and during the presentation of evidence, he entered his guilty plea. Charges against his co-defendant remained pending as the trial continued. The case drew attention to the violence and challenges faced by communities, as well as the impact on the families of law enforcement officers.
