On a tragic Saturday evening in Memphis, Tennessee, the life of 13-year-old Carl Fowler was cut short. The African American teenager was at a friend's house in the Hickory Hill neighborhood on November 25, 2017, spending time with two friends playing video games. What began as a typical get-together among young friends took a devastating turn when one of them, also 13, introduced a shotgun into their gathering.
In a moment that would forever alter the course of multiple lives, the firearm discharged, striking Carl in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting was chaotic. The friend who had been holding the shotgun, Montez Carr, reportedly dragged Carl down the driveway of the home on Hickory Trace Cove before calling 911. When law enforcement arrived, they found a scene that pointed to a tragic accident rather than a malicious act. Montez Carr was taken into custody and subsequently charged with reckless homicide. He made his first appearance in juvenile court shortly after the incident and was ordered to remain in detention. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Carr was in the process of showing the shotgun to Carl when it accidentally fired.
Carl Fowler was a student at Kirby Middle School, where he was known for his positive energy and determination. He was the captain of his basketball team, maintained good grades, and had dreams of one day becoming a professional basketball player. Raised by a single mother as one of twelve siblings, Carl was described as the fun-loving and goofy member of the family who brought joy to those around him. In the wake of his sudden death, the community mourned the loss of a promising young life. A candlelight vigil was held at his school to honor his memory, and a GoFundMe page was established to assist his family with funeral expenses. Despite their immense grief, Carl's family expressed a sentiment of forgiveness toward the family of Montez Carr, using the tragedy to implore other parents to prioritize gun safety.
