In Memphis, Tennessee, on February 25, 2014, a tragic event unfolded that cut short the life of 13-year-old Cartrial Robertson, an African American male. Earlier that day, the teenager had been active on social media, posting a photograph of himself with a. 357 Magnum handgun. Other images he shared portrayed him with firearms, a significant amount of cash, and substances that appeared to be drugs, raising concerns about his exposure to illicit activities.
The fatal incident took place
at a friend's home located in the 600 block of Hillcrest Street, north of Summer Avenue. Cartrial was with his 15-year-old friend, Darrin Wilson, and they were reportedly handling a firearm. The situation took a devastating turn when the gun accidentally discharged, striking and killing Cartrial. At the time of the shooting, the mother of Cartrial's friend and her boyfriend, who owned the residence, were both at work. The homeowner later stated that he did not keep any firearms in the house and was unaware of how the two boys had come into possession of the weapon.
Following the shooting, Darrin Wilson was taken into custody by law enforcement and subsequently charged with reckless homicide. The Memphis Police Department concluded their investigation into Cartrial's death, officially ruling it an accidental shooting. While the case directly related to his death was closed, authorities initiated a separate investigation to determine the origins of the firearm, drugs, and large sums of money that the minors had access to. The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office confirmed their ongoing efforts to uncover how the boys obtained the weapons.
