Anthony Carter, Chicago High School Student, Shot & Killed on West Side

Anthony Carter. Photo: CBS News

Some time before 12 am, 18-year-old Anthony Carter, supposedly went to the store to get something to eat. He never made it home.

At approximately 12:09 am, Carter was found lying in the street near the 4000 block of West Jackson Boulevard. According to Carter’s father, Anthony Sr., his son was shot 8 times. Once in the stomach, and 7 times in the back.

There are several versions of what happened. One account says Carter walked into an armed robbed. Reportedly, the teen saw two friends talking to a third man. Carter approached, thinking the 3 men were engaged in a friendly conversation. That’s when the gunman shot him.

Police have a different spin on what actually happened. Investigators believe Carter and his friends were approached by the gunman, who asked, “Who you working for?” An argument ensued, and Carter was shot and killed.

Here’s what’s bothering me: Why didn’t the gunman shoot the other two men? Why was all of the gunman’s rage directed toward Carter? Was this a hit? A setup?

While the circumstances surrounding Carter’s death may be debatable; one fact is not. Another young life has been snuffed out by senseless violence. According to Donna Carr, Carter's grandmother, Carter is the fourth grandchild touched by gun violence.

While researching this story, I visited several news sites. Some people are blaming Carter’s parents/guardians for allowing him to leave the house at such a late hour. Some readers are even questioning Chicago’s curfew laws.

Carter was 18-years-old. Chicago’s curfew laws apply to children under the age of 17. So, that answers at least one question. But was it wise to let the teenager leave the house so late, on a school night? Would a family mandated curfew on school nights, have saved Carter’s life? If the police's version of what happened is true. The answer is... no.

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