A teenager stands accused of the Easter Sunday killing of a 15-year-old boy in Memphis, as per the charges filed by police. The violence that unfolded on April 20 has now led to a 16-year-old being charged with first-degree murder, WREG reports. The suspect, whose name has not been released due to his juvenile status, is also facing a charge of first-degree murder in the perpetration of a robbery.
The incident, which the Memphis Police Department (MPD) believes to have started as a robbery attempt, took place on Grahamdale Circle, an area intersecting the Grahamwood and Berclair communities. The victim, identified as Michael Aguilar, managed to reach a nearby fire station despite his critical injuries. According to FOX13 Memphis, he was then swiftly transported to Regional One Health, where he later succumbed to his wounds.
Authorities were alerted about the situation on the evening of April 20, around 6 p.m., initially responding to a call in the 3900 block of Macon Road. It was later revealed through investigation that the shooting actually occurred on Grahamdale Circle, according to Local Memphis details. The MPD proceeded to arrest the alleged shooter two days later, on April 22nd.
Relatives of the deceased have described Aguilar as a "shy kid" who ended up being at the wrong place at the wrong time, according to an interview by WREG. This tragic incident marks yet another entry in the ledger of youth violence, which has become a continuing theme in the national conversation about crime and gun control. Investigations are ongoing, and the juvenile court system is set to handle the proceedings against the accused.
