Cornelius Dewayne Otis Jr., 18, was shot in the early summer evening of Saturday, June 7, 2025, in the parking lot of Cache 42 on Hacks Cross Road in Memphis. A recent Kirby High School graduate known as DJ, he had been planning to start trade school and leave the city the next day. Three young people were shot in the incident; dozens of bullet casings were recovered at the scene. Cornelius was taken to Regional One in critical condition and died of his injuries on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting. Authorities arrested 24-year-old Gerard Lawson and charged him with three counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the attack; investigators say the probe remains active and additional arrests are expected. Cornelius’s family described him as a radiant young man excited about his future.

If anyone witnessed the shooting at Cache 42 on June 7 or has information that could help investigators, please come forward.