Who is Darryl Roberts? Career criminal shoots Tennessee businessman and father of three point-blank after argument
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: Darryl "Too Tall" Roberts, 57, a career criminal whose street name presumably refers to his 6'6" height, shot Christopher Wright, 38, in the head, after arguing with him on the way to his high school reunion.
Wright was a prominent businessman and father of three, on his way to his 20th-anniversary high school reunion at Baylor School in downtown Chattanooga on September 28. That was when he got into a fight with two men.
According to the Daily Mail, the video surveillance reviewed by police showed the moment Wright was shot in the head at close range by Roberts.
Too Tall was discovered on the following day and taken into custody. He has been arrested at least 60 times in his life, states Daily Mail.
Roberts is set to face a first-degree murder charge for shooting Wright. According to jail records, his bond was set at $5 million.
Wright's wife Acacia gave birth just eight weeks before his tragic death
The couple recently welcomed a child, Aprilia. They have two other children, Declan and Abbott.
A GoFundMe has been organized to raise money for the grieving family. It has already gathered over $400,000 as of October 3.
"As Acacia and Chris's family are faced with the unimaginable, we come together in this most difficult time of grief and sadness to support them. Your donations will directly support their three children and their educational pursuits and future obligations," wrote the organizers.
Wright was a high school athlete at Baylor School before attending Yale University. He returned to Chattanooga where he worked as a partner at Alderman Enterprises.
According to the affidavit, witnesses claimed that Wright and Roberts had a dispute that resulted in the latter walking straight up to Wright, placing the gun against his forehead, and shooting him.
Previous charges brought against Roberts include theft, traffic violations, vandalism, driving under the influence, possession of prohibited weaponry, domestic assault, public intoxication and others, revealed court documents
2010 murder charge against Roberts was dismissed by the court
Roberts had never served time in prison for his crimes despite facing at least 66 charges since the early 1990s. According to court documents, most of his guilty pleas resulted in community service or suspended sentences.
Besides, he was accused of first-degree murder in 2010, but the court dismissed the charge.
"Last night's shooting was a terrible tragedy that our community will not soon forget. My heart goes out to Chris Wright's wife and children, and all his family, friends, and colleagues, who have suffered this terrible, unjust loss," Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly posted on X.
Last night's shooting was a terrible tragedy that our community will not soon forget. My heart goes out to Chris Wright’s wife and children, and all his family, friends, and colleagues, who have suffered this terrible, unjust loss. 1/7
— Tim Kelly (@MayorTimKelly) September 29, 2023
The Mayor stated that he was sick of gun violence and did not mince words while warning those who commit violent crimes that they "can be certain that we will use every tool in our arsenal to lock you up... and we have a nation-leading closure rate of more than 80%."