Pursuit of Justice Unrelenting: Nine Years After Charles Carroll Jr.'s Tragic Death, His Family Remains Committed to Seeking Justice

Charles Edward Carroll Jr.'s family remains steadfast in their quest for justice, pushing for transparency and resolution in his homicide case, even as the investigation enters its ninth year. Since the tragic fatal shooting of Charles Edward Carroll Jr. on July 28, 2016, his family continues to seek a substantial explanation for why his homicide investigation remains "cold." 

In a letter dated May 26, 2025, addressed to Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Leitess and obtained by Report Annapolis News, Chief Edward Jackson stated, "we both believe we know who killed him." The letter also noted that the murder weapon was recovered from an individual involved in the case, and information obtained during the investigation suggested a conspiracy to execute the homicide that occurred on Bywater Road in Annapolis. The letter indicated that the department's cold case investigative team did an "excellent" job developing leads after reviewing evidence in the case, finding "nothing that would indicate the mistakes were insurmountable."

Cold cases in Maryland are generally defined as unsolved criminal investigations that remain open. They are cases not solved initially through traditional means, often requiring "fresh eyes" to review existing work and pursue different avenues. The goal of a cold case investigator is to meaningfully advance the investigation, with incremental steps often leading to more significant advancements.

Beverly Reed, Carroll's mother, shared her continued confusion and frustration during an interview with Report Annapolis News. Despite multiple conversations with Chief Jackson, she remains unsure why her son's case remains "cold." Ms. Reed stated bluntly, "I just would like to know why the Annapolis Police Department has not filed charges against anyone in my son's case."

On July 28, 2016, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Annapolis Police Department officers responded to the 900 block of Royal Street after reports of shots fired. They located a vehicle crashed into a residential structure, and inside was Charles Edward Carroll, Jr., known to family and close friends as "Buddah" or "CJ," with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased moments later at a nearby hospital.

According to Ms. Reed, despite apparent evidence implicating two individuals currently incarcerated for unrelated cases in Carroll's homicide, Police Chief Edward Jackson has yet to provide a substantial explanation, further compounding the grief of an already bereaved family.

Bishop Charles Carroll, Sr., the victim's father, reiterated the family's plea for clarity, stating that they deserve to know why the fatal shooting remains in "cold case status." He expressed that after nearly 10 years, the unknown cause of a delay in filing charges in Carroll's homicide has tremendously impacted the entire family. Bishop Carroll said, "We deserve closure, and we deserve justice."

Carroll was laid to rest following a widely attended celebration of life at First Christian Community Church in Annapolis on August 8, 2016, according to an obituary made available online by the William Reese and Sons Mortuary.