In the late hours of a Saturday evening in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the life of 18-year-old Timothy “TJ” Henderson, a young man with a promising future in the culinary arts, was tragically cut short. On May 4, 2024, Henderson was fatally shot in the breezeway of the Herrington Mill Apartments, where he lived. The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m., was the result of a robbery, according to Gwinnett County police.
A resident of the apartment complex discovered Henderson's body about an hour after hearing a popping sound she had initially dismissed as children playing.
Henderson, a recent graduate of Peachtree Ridge High School, was an aspiring chef who had been preparing to enroll in the culinary program at Gwinnett Technical College. He was known for his love of cooking and would often host cookouts for dozens of friends, always insisting on manning the grill himself. Described as a smart, charismatic, and loving young man, TJ shared a close bond with his mother, Lashika Almond. His obituary fondly remembered his big heart and a smile that could light up a room.
In the days following the shooting, investigators identified 19-year-old Raheem Whiteside of Dacula as the suspect. After being on the run for several days, Whiteside turned himself in to the Gwinnett County Jail on May 9. He is facing multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.
The community mourned the loss of TJ, with family and friends gathering to release balloons in his honor. His mother expressed her profound grief, struggling with the memories of her son in the home they shared. A celebration of his life was held on May 17, where those who knew him shared fond memories of his generosity and uplifting spirit. The case against Raheem Whiteside is now proceeding through the legal system.
