In the early evening of June 5, 2024, tragedy struck in Little Rock, Arkansas, forever altering the lives of a local family. Seventeen-year-old Darrien Matthews, a young man described as funny, caring, and possessing an old soul, was fatally wounded in a shooting. The incident occurred around 7:49 p.m. in the parking lot of an apartment complex located on North Chicot Road.
When officers from the Little Rock Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered two male juveniles with gunshot wounds.
Both teenagers were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Tragically, Darrien Matthews succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The second victim, also a 17-year-old, was reported to be in stable condition and was later released from the hospital. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, and as of yet, no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide.
Darrien's mother, Sherica Lewis, has spoken publicly about the immense pain and anger her family is experiencing. She rushed to the apartment complex after hearing about the shooting and witnessed her son lying on the ground. She believes her son had fallen in with the wrong crowd and made some deadly mistakes, while also lamenting the prevalence of gun violence among young people. The family held funeral services for Darrien on June 22, 2024, as they continue to hope for justice and an end to the violence that claimed the life of the young man who was the youngest of four siblings and loved to make his family laugh.
