In the early morning hours of November 18, 2017, the life of 28-year-old Ladarius Montrell Cross, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was fatally shot in an incident that also left two other individuals, 26-year-old Terrance Careathers and a juvenile, with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting occurred in the 800 block of Wheeler Avenue, where a party was taking place.
Witnesses reported that the violence erupted outside the gathering, with suggestions that it was connected to rival gang activity.
Responding to the scene, law enforcement found Cross and Careathers suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, Ladarius Cross was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into his death was extensive, with detectives working for over four months to piece together the events of that fatal morning. Their efforts culminated in the arrest of a suspect, Britian Crutcher, who was subsequently charged with criminal homicide in connection with Cross's death. It was alleged that Crutcher, along with another individual, fired shots from a vehicle during the altercation.
The case against Britian Crutcher was eventually bound over to the Grand Jury, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings. Crutcher was reported to have a prior criminal history, which added another layer of complexity to the case. Ladarius Cross, a former student of Howard High School and an employee at Koch's Food, was remembered by his family, including his mother, Sonya E. Palmer, his father, Cedric C. Cross, and his children. His death left a void in the community as another life was lost to gun violence.
