Vincent Carlisle Jr., a 17-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on August 14, 2011, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His body was discovered in a wooded area north of his hometown of Spring Lake, just north of the Army post. The discovery was made four days after he left home and did not return.
Two soldiers from Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division, Pvt. Sebastian Gamez and Spc.
Christopher Blackett, both 20 years old, were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Vincent Carlisle Jr.'s death. The soldiers were truck drivers and were held without bond at the Harnett County Detention Center. The body of Vincent Carlisle Jr. was sent to the state medical examiner in Chapel Hill for an autopsy.
Vincent Carlisle Jr. had transferred to Johnathan's House Christian School in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, where he was a rising senior in the Class of 2012. He had previously attended Overhills High in Spring Lake but transferred due to peer pressure from those who felt "it wasn't cool to do good in school." His principal, Melanie Stewart, described him as a very intelligent young man with dreams and plans for the future.
The autopsy revealed that Vincent Carlisle Jr. had been shot in the back. The investigation into his death led to the arrest of the two soldiers, who were charged with first-degree murder and disposing of his corpse. The case garnered significant attention due to the involvement of military personnel and the tragic loss of a young life with so much potential.
