In the early morning hours of December 10, 2023, the life of a young Black man, Traysouan Robertson, age 20, was tragically cut short in Beckley, West Virginia. Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Clyde Street around 1:20 a.m. following reports of shots being fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered Robertson suffering from a single gunshot wound.
Emergency medical services attempted life-saving measures at the scene, but their efforts were in vain, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting, which was quickly classified as a homicide, led Beckley Police to a suspect just a few days later. On the evening of December 14, authorities arrested 18-year-old Marquest Fortune at his home. The charges brought against him were severe and numerous, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, felony use of a firearm, and seven counts of wanton endangerment. Following his arrest, Fortune was held at the Southern Regional Jail without bail.
Further details emerged suggesting the shooting occurred at a party. Witness accounts indicated that Robertson was involved in an altercation with another individual in a bedroom. It is alleged that Fortune then entered the room and fired a single shot. According to these witness statements, the bullet was not intended for Robertson but for the person with whom he was arguing.
The legal process for Marquest Fortune has been set in motion. He was offered a plea deal that would have allowed him to plead guilty to second-degree murder. However, Fortune rejected this offer and pleaded not guilty. As a result, his case is scheduled to go to trial, where he will face the original, more serious charges. The trial is set to begin on November 12, 2024.
