In the cool evening of November 15, 2015, the life of 26-year-old G'Metrik Ahmad Caldwell, an African American male from Knoxville, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 2300 block of Linden Avenue around 5:23 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Caldwell lying on the ground outside the driver's side of his Kia Optima, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Investigators found a handgun and shell casings both inside and around the vehicle, pointing to a violent encounter.
The investigation swiftly moved forward, and within days, authorities identified two teenage suspects wanted for questioning. On November 18, 2015, the Knoxville Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Martin Mill Pike, where they detained 16-year-old Tyshon Booker. Later that day, they located 17-year-old Bradley Robinson on Cassell Valley Way. Both teenagers were arrested and subsequently charged with Felony Murder and Aggravated Robbery in connection with Caldwell's death. They were initially held at the Juvenile Detention Facility.
The case against Tyshon Booker proceeded through the justice system, where he was ultimately transferred to be tried as an adult. Court records reveal the fatal shooting occurred during a botched robbery. On that Sunday afternoon, Booker and Robinson were riding in Caldwell's car, with Caldwell driving, Robinson in the front passenger seat, and Booker in the back. After Caldwell pulled the car over, Booker shot him multiple times in the back, chest, and shoulder. Following the shooting, both Booker and Robinson fled the scene, taking the victim's cell phone. At trial, Booker admitted to shooting Caldwell but claimed it was in self-defense.
A Knox County jury found Tyshon Booker guilty on two counts of first-degree felony murder and two counts of especially aggravated robbery. For these crimes, he received an effective sentence of life in prison. His co-defendant, Bradley Robinson, was also convicted for his role in the incident; a jury found him guilty of facilitation of first-degree felony murder and facilitation of especially aggravated robbery, resulting in an effective sentence of thirty-seven years.
