J’Karri Marquise Anderson, a 19-year-old Black man, was remembered by his family as a hero and by his younger brother as the “best brother ever.” A graduate of Harding University High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was known for helping his 11-year-old brother with homework and playing games with him. Family and friends gathered to celebrate his life at Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, remembering a young man who they said stood for his family.
On the evening of
October 6, 2023, Anderson was working at a Wendy’s restaurant in the 3700 block of West W.T. Harris Boulevard in Charlotte. Around 5:30 p.m., an argument broke out between Anderson and a co-worker, 21-year-old Christopher Franks. According to family members who were also working at the time, Franks became angry after receiving a work assignment and attempted to pull out a gun.
Other co-workers initially restrained Franks, but the confrontation escalated. Video from the scene showed Anderson trying to de-escalate the situation, telling Franks, “you don’t want to do this,” as he tried to take the gun away. The struggle moved from inside the restaurant to the outside. As employees fled in panic, Anderson was shot. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, but he did not survive his injuries. His family felt he died a hero, trying to protect everyone else before he could get himself to safety.
After the shooting, Christopher Franks fled the scene. However, he later arrived at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Law Enforcement Center and asked to speak with detectives. Following an interview with investigators, Franks was arrested and charged with murder. A grand jury later indicted him on a charge of first-degree murder, and he was held in jail without bond.
The case concluded in January 2025. Christopher Franks, then 22 years old, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death of J’Karri Anderson. A judge sentenced him to serve between 16 and 20 years in prison.
