In the early morning hours of April 24, 2018, the life of 19-year-old Wartario Franklin Jr. was tragically cut short in his Memphis, Tennessee, home. A recent graduate of Whitehaven High School, the young African American man had aspirations of joining the Army and was scheduled for a physical for his application later that same day. Those dreams were shattered when gunfire erupted at his family's residence at approximately 2:45 a.m.
Franklin was asleep in his bed when an unknown
assailant or assailants removed the screen from his bedroom window and opened fire. Awakened by the sound of the gunshots, his mother, Lutissue Marshall, rushed to check on her children. She discovered her son suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died in her arms before help could arrive.
The promising young man, described as always happy and smiling, was known for his ability to brighten any room and turn a bad day into a better one. He was looking forward to a future in the military as a means to leave Memphis and provide for his family, a topic he often spoke about.
Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, the case remains unsolved. To date, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Wartario Franklin Jr. The investigation into his death continues as his family and community await justice.
