A 15-year-old boy died in the shooting Sunday at Easton Town Center, a crime in which a 13-year-old male is now facing a murder charge. Police identified the victim as Ra’Shawyn Carter Jr., the Columbus Dispatch reports. Family members tell the Dispatch that Ra’Shawyn was a calming influence in their home.
“He kept everyone strong. Whatever would happen, he was always the one who was like ‘Here’s the checklist, make sure they’re eating,’” Zarya Turner, 23, one of Ra’Shawyn’s aunts, tells The Dispatch. “It was insane. It made everyone just be like ‘OK, we got this.’”
Darter was shot at about 6:14 p.m. Sunday near an ice cream shop in the popular shopping center, reports say. He was pronounced dead at Mount Carmel East Hospital at about 6:50 p.m.
The Dispatch reports this is not the first time the boy’s family has been a victim of gun violence. His stepfather died in a shooting in July 2021 and his uncle was killed in a home invasion in April. One of Ra’Shawyn’s aunts also was wounded in the home invasion.
Police have not released additional details on what led up to the shooting, WBNS Channel 10 reports. Family members say Ra’Shawyn had gone to the shopping center to see a movie, The Dispatch reports.
A 13-year-old boy is being held on a murder charge in connection to the shooting, while a second 13-year-old has been charge with obstruction of justice. Police tell WBNS the teen murder suspect tried to hide the handgun used in the shooting in a garbage can.
The teen charged with murder is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.