On a Tuesday morning in Puyallup, Washington, 18-year-old Sabrena Defreece was at a friend's house, listening to music and dancing as they prepared for the day. Moments later, on December 8, 2015, her life was tragically cut short. She was in a bedroom with her 19-year-old friend, Joshua Jeffrey Roberts, when he handled a handgun that discharged, striking and killing her.
Police were called to the residence on the 900 block of 18th Avenue Southwest around 7 a.m.
and found Sabrena deceased upon their arrival. Roberts, who lived at the home, was immediately taken into custody. He told detectives that he did not believe the gun was loaded. While handling the firearm, it went off, fatally wounding his friend. Two other individuals were present in the house at the time of the shooting.
Joshua Jeffrey Roberts was arrested and initially booked on suspicion of second-degree murder, which was later amended to first-degree manslaughter. He was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm due to previous felony convictions. Roberts pleaded guilty to the charges. In court, it was revealed that he and Sabrena were close friends, with his mother stating he called her his "No. 1 homie" and he considered her more like a sister. There was no indication of any animosity or the involvement of drugs or alcohol.
During the sentencing, Sabrena's mother, Marcella Cartwright, displayed remarkable grace, asking the judge for leniency for Roberts and stating that she forgave him. She expressed her hope that he would salvage his life, something she wished to help him with in her daughter's memory. Joshua Roberts was sentenced to seven years and eleven months in prison for the death of his friend.
