On an unfortunate autumn evening in Memphis, Tennessee, the life of 29-year-old Cadarrius Lewis, a male, was tragically cut short. The events of October 19, 2023, unfolded at the Penny Pantry, a convenience store located on Breenwood Drive in the Northaven community. It was here that Lewis was fatally shot, becoming another victim of the gun violence that has troubled the area. The incident prompted an immediate response from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, who arrived to a scene that was all too familiar to residents, as the same location had been the site of another killing less than two years prior.
In the wake of the shooting, investigators quickly began their work to piece together the circumstances that led to Lewis's death. Their efforts soon focused on a single suspect, and a 'Be on the Lookout' was issued for a man named Jarius Rattler. For over a year, Rattler remained at large, with law enforcement agencies actively searching for him in connection with the homicide. The community was left on edge, knowing that the man believed to be responsible for the violent act was still at large. The Penny Pantry, one of the few grocery stores in the area, became a place of unease for some residents who were now fearful in their own neighborhood.
After 388 days of persistent investigation and searching, a significant breakthrough came in the case. Jarius Rattler was finally located and taken into custody by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. His arrest brought a sense of relief to the Northaven community and a measure of hope for justice for Cadarrius Lewis's family. Rattler was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and the possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The arrest marked the culmination of a lengthy and dedicated effort by law enforcement to bring a resolution to a case that had cast a shadow over the community for more than a year.
