Artavious Quarterman, an 18-year-old male, tragically lost his life on August 5, 2020, in Sanford, Florida. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute at the home of a 16-year-old boy, Connor Michael Lewis. The altercation began when Lewis had an argument with his girlfriend, leading her to leave his house. Later, she returned with several family members, including Quarterman, to retrieve her belongings.
The situation escalated when the group began banging on the door and windows of Lewis's home, prompting him to call 911.
During the 911 call, Lewis can be heard mocking the group outside, saying, "Oh, you're so scary." Despite being advised to stay inside, Lewis fired a single shot through the window of his front door, striking Quarterman in the head. Quarterman was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day. Initially charged with attempted second-degree murder, Lewis's charges were upgraded to second-degree murder following Quarterman's death.
The case drew significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the ages of those involved. Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith described the incident as senseless, emphasizing that officers were minutes away from the scene and could have de-escalated the situation. The legal proceedings against Lewis included debates on whether he should be tried as an adult. The 18th Circuit State Attorney's Office, responsible for prosecuting the case, indicated that they would carefully review all investigative findings before making a final decision on how to proceed with the charges against Lewis.
