Nationwide — Kamari Hardin, a 7-year-old African American boy from Memphis, Tennessee, was robbed at gunpoint for $10 near a park while walking home with friends. Police arrested two teens in connection with the armed robbery. Kamari now fears going outside alone after the incident.
Memphis Police said officers responded just after 10 p.m. on March 18 to the 100 block of Vaal Avenue near Castex Street after Kamari’s mother reported the incident. The robbery happened near Riverview Community Park on Kansas Street, where Kamari had been with friends earlier that night.
Investigators said Kamari and other children were targeted while leaving the park area. One suspect tripped him to the ground, pointed a black handgun at him, and searched his pockets before taking two $5 bills. The teen then fled into an open field.
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy and charged him with aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. A 14-year-old boy was also charged with robbery in connection with the same incident.
Kamari later described how the attack happened. “I heard one say don’t do it because he’ll get his mama. He still did it,” Kamari told WREG. “He pat them down first when he stole their money. He pinned me down. He put his knee on my legs, so I won’t move. He put the gun on my leg, and I was holding my pocket because I was trying to protect myself, when he pulled my hand off my pocket. He got into my pocket, and he stole my money.”
Kamari’s mother said the incident has affected how he moves around their neighborhood. She said, “He doesn’t even want to leave the porch. He’s scared to walk around the neighborhood because he doesn’t know if it’s going to happen to him again.”
Kamari also said the teens involved were familiar faces in the area. Some community members questioned why children were outside that late, but his mother said the community center is close to their home, and the kids were nearby when the incident happened.