Kedarius Griffin, an 18-year-old Black male, was tragically shot and killed on April 14, 2021, in North Austin, Texas. The incident occurred in the parking lot of a McDonald's on North Lamar Boulevard. Griffin was driving a car with his pregnant girlfriend, a 2-year-old daughter, a teenage sister, and two teenage cousins inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.
The altercation began in the McDonald's drive-thru lane, where Griffin was confronted by
two men, Warren Mitchell and Cornelius Cooks, over money owed for marijuana. The confrontation escalated, and Mitchell punched Griffin through the open window of his car. Griffin drove around the McDonald's, and the suspects ran around the other side of the restaurant. The parties crossed paths again in the parking lot, where Cooks fired at Griffin's car from behind, striking only Griffin.
Cooks and Mitchell fled the scene and did not call 911. They were later arrested and charged with Griffin's murder. Mitchell was apprehended by US Marshals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while Cooks was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin. Mitchell pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 118 days in jail. Cooks was initially tried for murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. A jury was unable to return a verdict on the murder and aggravated assault charges but found Cooks guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm. The Travis County district attorney's office retried the case and successfully convinced a new jury that Cooks had not shot in self-defense. Cooks was sentenced to 23 years in prison for murder and five counts of aggravated assault.
The case brought attention to the increasing role of self-defense laws in murder cases, as state gun restrictions have loosened and firearms have become more prevalent. The Travis County Medical Examiner's office determined the official cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head and manner homicide. Detectives continue to investigate the case, and a clear motive has not been determined.
The tragic death of Kedarius Griffin has left a lasting impact on his family and the community, and the legal proceedings have brought some measure of justice for his loved ones.
