Carl Jackson Jr., a 15-year-old honor roll student from Willowbrook, CA, tragically lost his life on November 21, 2020, in a senseless act of violence. Carl was riding his bike home when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in South Los Angeles. Despite having no gang affiliations and being known for his positive demeanor and aspirations to become an entrepreneur, Carl became one of the many victims of the rising violence in the city.
His death marked a grim milestone for Los Angeles, which saw over 300 homicides that year, a number not reached in over a decade.
The community was deeply affected by Carl's death, with many mourning the loss of a promising young life. His family, who had recently moved to the area, was left devastated. Carl's mother, Raylene Garbutt, expressed her profound grief, stating that she would never see her son again. The family faced additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which compounded their stress and grief. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help cover the funeral expenses, as the family did not have life insurance for Carl.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched an investigation into Carl's murder, urging anyone with information to come forward. The LAPD emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving such cases and highlighted the broader issue of increased violence in the city, partly attributed to the economic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, there have been no reports of arrests or identified suspects in connection with Carl's death. The case remains open, with the community and authorities continuing to seek justice for Carl Jackson Jr.
