Ben Redix

Benjamen Redix was an 18-year-old Black male and a celebrated student-athlete at White Hall High School in Arkansas. A standout in both football and track, he had helped his football team reach the 2021 5A state championship game as a cornerback and had recently won the state triple jump title at the Meet of Champs. Redix, who had earned a track scholarship to Southern Arkansas University, was also known for his close relationship with his head football coach, the late Ryan Mallett, who his mother said treated him like a son.

On the night of May 18, 2023, less than 24 hours before he was set to graduate, Redix was in North Little Rock. Police responded to a call about a shooting in the 5800 block of Lynch Drive and found Redix in the roadway. He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

With Redix at the time of the shooting was his friend, 17-year-old Jimari Douglas. According to police reports, Douglas stated that a gun he was handling accidentally discharged, striking Redix. Douglas was taken into custody following the incident.

Initially, prosecutors charged Douglas as an adult with manslaughter, to which he pleaded innocent. The case proceeded in Pulaski County Circuit Court. In August 2024, Douglas, then 19, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of negligent homicide. He was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine.

Benjamen’s death sent shockwaves through his community. In his memory, his mother, Shaneisha Robinson, started the Benjamen Redix Project just two months after he died. The foundation honors his legacy by awarding scholarships to local high school student-athletes. His grandmother, Flo Rambert, said of the family’s efforts, “This is the most difficult thing my family has endured, but our family is learning to push through pain with a purpose to help others.” The case was legally closed as of August 2024.