A teenager in Tennessee was shot dead at a gas station, hours after his high school prom.
LaDainian Cathey, 18, was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m. outside of a gas station in Memphis, with two suspects seen fleeing the scene in a black Mercedes. Cathey was pronounced dead at a local hospital, Action 5 News reported.
On Tuesday, Memphis Police Department said it had arrested and charged a 17-year-old in connection with the shooting. The suspect has been charged with first-degree murder and perpetration of a robbery. No details concerning the second suspect have been made public.
Hours before the shooting, Cathey’s mother, Lakeisha Johnson, posted photos of him wearing his tuxedo and sunglasses.
She posted a heartbreaking tribute to Cathey on Facebook following his death, saying her son “had a great life” and that he was her “best friend.”
“I’m trying so hard be strong … that was my baby now all I got is memories this can’t be real,” she wrote.
Southaven High School acknowledged Cathey’s death in an email and offered support for grieving students.
“It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the loss of one of our 12th-grade students. Your child may be aware of this tragedy. Our school counselors and mental health therapists will be on campus tomorrow to offer support and services,” the message said. “We will continue to provide support to our Charger Family throughout the week and in the future.”
Jaylon Dodson, one of Cathey’s friends, told Action 5 News that the teen was set to graduate next month.
He said that his friend visited the barber shop to show off his tuxedo before prom and “walked out smiling.”
“You never know when it’s someone’s last day, so… I ain’t know, he ain’t know. He walked out smiling, ready to get in his Benz and have a good day,” Dodson told the outlet.
Dodson works as a barber and cut his friend’s hair the night before the prom, adding that his sudden death “still don’t feel real.”
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