A tragic incident unfolded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when a local businessman and father of three was fatally shot in the head during an altercation on his way to his high school reunion. The victim, 38-year-old Christopher Wright, was a well-respected figure in the community and was en route to his 20th high school reunion at Baylor School when the incident occurred.
The incident was captured on video surveillance, which showed Wright being shot at close range by 57-year-old Darryl Roberts, a man with a lengthy criminal record. Roberts, who stands at 6’6 and is often referred to as ‘Too Tall’, was apprehended by authorities on Friday at 4 pm, marking his 60th arrest.
Wright, a beloved father, had recently welcomed his youngest child, Aprilia, just eight weeks prior to the tragic event. He also had two young sons, Declan and Abbott, with his wife Acacia. In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was set up to support the grieving family, raising over $413,000 by Tuesday afternoon. The campaign, titled ‘In Support of The Wright Family’, has received donations from over 1000 individuals.
Wright, a former high school athlete who played football and basketball at Baylor School, later attended Yale University. He returned to Chattanooga and became a partner at Alderman Enterprises. Witnesses to the crime reported that Wright and Roberts had a dispute that culminated in Roberts approaching Wright and shooting him at point-blank range.
Roberts’ criminal history is extensive, with court documents revealing charges ranging from theft, traffic violations, vandalism, driving under the influence, possession of prohibited weaponry, domestic assault, and public intoxication. In 2010, he was charged with first-degree murder, but the charges were dismissed.
In 2016, Roberts pleaded guilty to domestic assault and vandalism after an incident involving his then-wife at a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant. Despite facing at least 66 charges since the early 1990s, Roberts has never served time in prison. Most of his guilty pleas resulted in community service or suspended sentences.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly expressed his condolences to Wright’s family and friends, calling the incident a “terrible tragedy.” He also voiced his frustration with gun violence, vowing to use every tool available to combat violent crime in Chattanooga.