Arrest in Lexington Park Shooting: 18-Year-Old Charged with Murder
Source: KFVS12 Crime. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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Lexington, Ky. — A swift arrest has been made in the mass shooting that erupted in Charles Young Park on Saturday evening, claiming the life of a 16-year-old and sending four others to the hospital. Jametrius M. Griffin, 18, was taken into custody by Lexington Police and is now being held at the Fayette County Detention Center. He faces charges of murder, assault, and tampering with physical evidence, according to officials.
The shooting, which occurred around 6:48 p.m., shattered what had been a remarkable stretch of peace in the city. One Lexington, a community violence intervention program, had been tracking a 192-day streak without a homicide — a milestone that ended abruptly with the park violence. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers confirmed this was the first homicide since the February 5 shooting that killed 17-year-old Jonathan Hunt.
Mayor Linda Gorton delivered an update on Sunday, joined by Chief Weathers and Devine Carama, director of One Lexington, who was present in the park at the time of the shooting. “Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers is working every lead to find those responsible,” Gorton said, emphasizing the department’s commitment to justice. “This does not define the East End,” Weathers added. “We are going to do our best to hold those responsible accountable.”
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Di’Zhon Robertson, a 16-year-old student at Success Academy. He had previously attended Bryan Station High School. In a statement, Fayette County Public Schools expressed deep sadness over his death. “During this time, our focus is on surrounding our students, staff and community with care and support as we process this tragic loss together,” the district said. Mental health specialists, school counselors, and support teams will be available to assist students in need.
Carama, who witnessed the aftermath firsthand, described the scene as heartbreaking. “Unacceptable,” he said. “I was present in the park; I’ve seen my brothers helping those who were shot... It’s not about politics; this is about humanity, and it’s about our neighbors.” His words underscored the raw emotion felt by a community grappling with violence in a public space often seen as a gathering place for families and youth.
Police officers responded to the park shortly after the shots were fired. Five victims were located and transported to a local hospital. While four sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Robertson was pronounced dead at the hospital. The investigation is active, and authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting or a possible motive.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to call Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020 or online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com.
Community support will be available at the Dunbar Community Center on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The sessions are intended to provide a space for those affected by the shooting to receive emotional and psychological assistance.
This incident has reignited conversations about youth violence in Lexington, particularly in the East End neighborhood where Charles Young Park is located. The quick arrest of Griffin offers some measure of accountability, but for many residents, the grief of losing another young life lingers. As the community mourns, leaders are calling for renewed efforts to address the root causes of such tragedies.
Article commentary
The arrest of Jametrius M. Griffin brings a swift, albeit partial, resolution to a shooting that has once again shaken Lexington. The charges—murder, assault, and tampering with evidence—suggest investigators believe Griffin was directly involved in the violence that claimed 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson’s life. Yet the speed of the arrest, while reassuring, does little to mask the deeper fractures this event exposes. What stands out is the timing. The shooting broke a 192-day homicide-free streak tracked by One Lexington, a program designed to interrupt cycles of violence. That number is a testament to the hard work of community organizers, police, and advocates who have been building trust and providing alternatives to retaliation. To see it end in a park on a Saturday evening is a stark reminder that progress is fragile. The streak was not just a statistic; it was a sign of hope in a city that has seen its share of youth gun violence. Its end feels like a setback. Devine Carama’s presence at the park during the shooting adds a layer of poignancy. As the director of One Lexington, he is on the front lines of violence prevention, yet even he could not prevent this tragedy. His comment that “it’s not about politics; it’s about humanity” cuts to the core of the issue. The shooting was not a random act of nature; it was a human failure. The question is where that failure lies—in insufficient intervention, in easy access to firearms, or in the social conditions that allow young people to resolve conflicts with bullets. The response from city leaders has been measured. Mayor Gorton and Chief Weathers focused on accountability and the ongoing investigation, while the school district mobilized mental health resources. These are necessary steps, but they are reactive. The challenge is whether Lexington can shift from responding to violence to preventing it. The 192-day streak showed it is possible, but Saturday’s shooting demonstrates that the work is far from complete. Victim Di’Zhon Robertson was a 16-year-old student, still in the early years of his life. His death is part of a troubling pattern of young people both as victims and perpetrators of gun violence. Griffin, at 18, is barely out of his teens. This is not a problem that policing alone can solve. It requires community investment, economic opportunity, and a sustained commitment to programs like One Lexington that build relationships before violence erupts. As the community gathers at Dunbar Community Center for support, the focus should be on healing. But the broader conversation must continue. The arrest of Griffin is a necessary step toward justice, but justice without change is hollow. Lexington must ask itself what it will do to ensure that Charles Young Park remains a place for recreation, not a memorial.