Britian Crutcher
A criminal homicide charge was bound to the Grand Jury on Monday against Britian Crutcher in the Nov. 17, 2017, slaying of 28-year-old Ladarius Cross.
A witness said the case involved rival gangs.
Police had responded at approximately 5:16 a.m. to the 800 block of Wheeler Avenue, where two victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Cross was dead at the scene after being shot in the back and the leg.
He had bled extensively and was lying outside the driver's door. Terrance Careathers,
26, was suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
It was testified that the shooting actually happened outside a good-time house near the Woodlawn Apartments. Cross drove from the scene, but wound up running into a house on Wheeler Avenue when he lost consciousness.
A witness said he was in a black SUV with Crutcher that early morning. He said they met up at a convenience store. He said Crutcher went to one location and got a large gun and also went to his house (the witness) to get a .38 handgun.
He said they then went to a party. The witness, who acknowledged he is a Crips gang member, said there were mostly Crips at the party. He said Cross was with a small group connected to the rival Bloods.
The witness said there was bad feeling from the Crips about Bloods showing up at the party.
He said he, Crutcher and two others in the vehicle had left the party and gotten into the black SUV when he said shots rang out. He said when it was over he asked if everyone was OK and was told they were.
He said during the shooting he saw Crutcher hanging one arm out the window firing the large gun.
A 17-year-old who was in the gold car occupied by Cross said he saw Crutcher in the black SUV outside the party.