Karter River Rosenboro was five years old when he died on the evening of October 8, 2024, after being accidentally shot in the head at the home he shared with his great-grandparents in Greenville, North Carolina. Deputies from the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office responded just after 7 p.m.; emergency responders transported Karter to ECU Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators determined the shooting was an accident. The firearm was reported to belong to Karter’s 72-year-old great-grandfather, Rayfield Ruffin. Authorities arrested Ruffin on October 10, 2024, on a charge of failing to securely store a firearm to protect a minor; he was released on a $2,000 unsecured bond. The legal case did not reach resolution before Ruffin was himself killed in an unrelated incident in January 2026.

Karter was a kindergartner at Northwest Elementary, remembered for his bright smile, favorite movie Cars, macaroni and cheese, and the gold chain and hat he often wore. He is survived by his parents, Niasia Knight and Terry Rosenboro, Jr., and several siblings including his twin sister Khloe. Does anyone have memories of Karter or information about what happened that evening to share with the family?