Kevin J. Roberts, a 33-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on January 10, 2021, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known by his loved ones as a natural comedian with a mission to protect and love his family, Kevin was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. His passions included Georgia football, fast cars, and spending cherished time with his nephews.
His life was cut short when he attended a birthday party on Edenbridge Way in West Knox County, an outing from which he would never return.
In the early morning hours, around 12:30 a.m., a dispute broke out between two other men at the party, Raiquan Stapleton and Jonquel Brown. The argument escalated, leading both men to draw firearms and exchange gunfire. During this chaotic exchange, Kevin, an innocent bystander, was struck by a stray bullet. He succumbed to his injuries, his death leaving a void in the lives of his family and friends who remembered him for his ability to make everyone around him laugh.
Following an investigation by the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Raiquan Stapleton was identified as the shooter and arrested. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for the death of Kevin Roberts and attempted first-degree murder. The case proceeded to trial, where a jury considered the evidence presented. However, the outcome was not what prosecutors or the victim's family had sought.
The jury ultimately convicted Stapleton of a significantly lesser charge: negligent homicide, a Class E felony. He was sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum penalty for that offense. The verdict and sentence were a source of profound grief and frustration for Kevin's family. His mother, Charlene Roberts, expressed her heartbreak, stating that justice had not been served for her son, who had been her caretaker. The tragic event marked the second time she had lost a child to gun violence, compounding her sorrow.
