In the late hours of January 14, 2021, Charles Dwarryl Royston Jr., a 21-year-old Black/African American male, was fatally shot in Minneapolis. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in an alley in the 3500 block of Girard Avenue North. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Royston unresponsive and without a pulse. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner later confirmed that his death was a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
Royston was a celebrated former football player from Minneapolis North High School, known for his infectious, wide smile. He had been attending college in North Dakota but had returned to Minneapolis to be with his mother, who was ill and passed away just a month before his own death. His return home, which was meant to be a comfort to his family, ended in tragedy.
According to a second individual who was with Royston that night and was also shot but survived, they were parked when two suspects approached their vehicle. The surviving victim reported that the assailants attempted to rob them before opening fire. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene.
As of the most recent reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Charles Royston Jr. Police have not released any detailed descriptions of the suspects involved in this tragic event. The investigation into his death remains open, and authorities have indicated the shooting may have been the result of a drug deal that went wrong. His family, still grieving the recent loss of his mother, was left to mourn the sudden and violent end to a promising young life.
