Elyjah Marrow, the grandson of rapper/actor Ice-T, was arrested for accidentally shooting and killing his roommate, Daryus Johnson, according to The Marietta Daily Journal in Georgia. The incident occurred at the Bentley Manor Apartments in Marietta, Ga. on Tuesday, June 24.
Here’s what you need to know about Marrow and the charges he faces:
1. Police Charged Marrow With Involuntary Manslaughter for the Shooting
Police charged Marrow with involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and reckless conduct. The charges also included possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a stolen firearm. He’s being held at the Cobb County jail without bond, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.
Tweets by Marrow from 2012 show him with stacks of large bills on his coffee table and carrying them.
Life tht I'm living.. git me higher den a pigeon pic.twitter.com/pAdmdine
— $MoneyMakinEly$ (@FlightGeneral32) December 25, 2012
Marietta Police Officer David Baldwin told the Marietta Daily Journal of the shooting’s circumstances:
Marrow was not using proper firearms safety when handling the gun. That reckless handling of the firearm is what led to Johnson being accidentally shot and eventually killed.
Police found Johnson unconscious on floor of the apartment. He was transported to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta and pronounced dead of an apparent gunshot wound, according to Baldwin.
2. Johnson’s Friends Tweet About Losing “Byrd”
Johnson’s friends referred to him as Byrd. According to Johnson’s Twitter account @ByrdSoSwavey, he was set to graduate this year and enlist in the Navy. His profile read, “ClassOf2k14. {NavyBounded} Never Had A Paper Problem$$ I’m King Flock Meet QueenFlock.”
His friends remembered him on Twitter after his death.
Still cant believe my brother Byrd gone man.. Im still expectin bruh to call me like match one
— Hammer (@ChecksOnMe) June 25, 2014
Bruh byrd always had his music in his ears. Didn't gaf bout them tryna take his headphones
— JJ. (@queenjordon_) June 24, 2014
Daryus never had a frown on his face Class clown! Always had to make someone smile. It was like a goal to him.
— Fernanda Silva ✨ (@feefeesilva) June 25, 2014
One friend @justmaya_ posted the above pic of Johnson on her Instagram with this message:
can’t even cry man… smh, another one gone too soon.. my mind just all fucked up now.. this not a goodbye. we will see you soon. rest in heaven baby boy.
3. Marrow Played Football for Wheeler High School in Marietta
Marrow played running back and outside linebacker for the Wheeler High School team. According to his recruitment page on Hudl, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.45 seconds and bench pressed 290 pounds. He graduated from Wheeler in 2013.
On his Twitter page, Marrow says he “love playin all sports.. fightin laughin wild an havin fun.”
4. Marrow Is the Son of Ice-T’s Daughter LeTesha
HAPPY FATHERS DAY DADDY @FINALLEVEL YOUR THE BEST DAD EVER!!! LOL > I LOVE YOU TWIN!! pic.twitter.com/cE4a6Din
— tesha marrow (@T_TEA_V) June 18, 2012
Marrow’s mother LeTesha is the daughter of Ice-T (real name Tracy Lauren Marrow) and his high school girlfriend Adrianne. The couple raised LeTesha while going to school together. She and Elyjah appeared on an episode of Ice-T’s reality show Ice Loves Coco.
LeTesha is the CEO and host of T-Tea-V Behind the Scenes show and an assistant director, according to her Twitter page.
My son Ely'jah loves when I cook 4 him :-) my little soldier is gettin so big& handsome! Mommas baby:-) pic.twitter.com/RYiLHZ2W
— tesha marrow (@T_TEA_V) December 18, 2011
5. Ice-T Has Not Commented on the Story
Marrow’s grandfather Ice-T, star of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has not commented on the incident. Ice-T takes a pro-gun stance and spoke about his position on London’s Channel 4 in the wake of the Aurora, Colo. in 2012.
Watch the interview above:
Marrow’s involvement in the shooting didn’t go wide until TMZ made the connection between the young man and his famous grandfather, according to the New York Daily News.