Topline: A vigil for 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers brought loved ones back to the Las Vegas shooting scene as his family challenged online speculation about him.
Published: October 11, 2026 11:34 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Carth Onasi Jacobs-Rodgers (Courtesy photo)
LAS VEGAS, NV — Loved ones gathered Monday near Main Street and Charleston Boulevard to remember 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers, who was killed in a shooting during First Friday in the Arts District on Oct. 2.
His family identified him as the teen who died, according to 8 News Now. The station spoke with his legal guardian, Tara Mesaric-Rodgers, who considers herself Carth’s mother and parents him alongside her husband, James. She described returning to the area where he died while the family was also confronting speculative online comments about his life.
Police said the shooting happened around 10:17 p.m. at Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Three people were hospitalized. As of Monday night, Oct. 5, no arrests had been announced in connection with the fatal shooting.
Mesaric-Rodgers said she later learned that Carth’s last words were “call my mom.” Being near the place where he died was painful, she said, particularly knowing she had not been there when he asked for her.
She said Carth sometimes felt alone and had not understood how many people loved him. The vigil drew friends and relatives, people the family had known since childhood in their housing complex, and others who came to support them despite past disagreements.
Dozens of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and several patrol vehicles were nearby. Officers also stood among attendees and offered condolences. Mesaric-Rodgers said one officer opened the gathering with a prayer, and she expressed gratitude for the support.
Some attendees had been present on the night of the shooting. Mesaric-Rodgers said she wanted the vigil to honor Carth and bring people together to help the community heal and encourage change.
James told the station he had asked friends and family not to speak with the media after negative and speculative comments appeared online about Carth and his family. Mesaric-Rodgers said she continued speaking publicly to challenge those claims, including social media and TikTok assertions about whom Carth was affiliated with.
She acknowledged that he had made mistakes but rejected the picture of him being circulated online. She also pushed back against judgments about his tattoos and asked people to let her only son rest in peace. The family’s immediate focus, she said, was arranging his funeral.
His parents said Carth had been reconnecting with his biological father, working toward getting his driver’s permit and preparing for a scheduled job interview before he was killed. Mesaric-Rodgers described him as a good kid who had been finding his way back after a difficult period.
A fundraiser has been organized to help the family with funeral expenses, according to the station.
Desert Pines High School Principal Shirley Jimenez sent students and families a message about the death of a former student. In the statement obtained by 8 News Now, she said counseling resources would be available and urged parents to watch for grief or behavioral changes, keep communication open and give children room to discuss their feelings.
The report did not establish the shooter’s identity or a motive. Anyone with information can contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or homicide@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Family Honors Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers, 15, After Las Vegas Arts District Shooting
A vigil for 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers brought loved ones back to the Las Vegas shooting scene as his family challenged online speculation about him.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 11, 2026 11:34 am ET
Carth Onasi Jacobs-Rodgers (Courtesy photo)
LAS VEGAS, NV — Loved ones gathered Monday near Main Street and Charleston Boulevard to remember 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers, who was killed in a shooting during First Friday in the Arts District on Oct. 2.
His family identified him as the teen who died, according to 8 News Now. The station spoke with his legal guardian, Tara Mesaric-Rodgers, who considers herself Carth’s mother and parents him alongside her husband, James. She described returning to the area where he died while the family was also confronting speculative online comments about his life.
Police said the shooting happened around 10:17 p.m. at Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Three people were hospitalized. As of Monday night, Oct. 5, no arrests had been announced in connection with the fatal shooting.
Mesaric-Rodgers said she later learned that Carth’s last words were “call my mom.” Being near the place where he died was painful, she said, particularly knowing she had not been there when he asked for her.
She said Carth sometimes felt alone and had not understood how many people loved him. The vigil drew friends and relatives, people the family had known since childhood in their housing complex, and others who came to support them despite past disagreements.
Dozens of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and several patrol vehicles were nearby. Officers also stood among attendees and offered condolences. Mesaric-Rodgers said one officer opened the gathering with a prayer, and she expressed gratitude for the support.
Some attendees had been present on the night of the shooting. Mesaric-Rodgers said she wanted the vigil to honor Carth and bring people together to help the community heal and encourage change.
James told the station he had asked friends and family not to speak with the media after negative and speculative comments appeared online about Carth and his family. Mesaric-Rodgers said she continued speaking publicly to challenge those claims, including social media and TikTok assertions about whom Carth was affiliated with.
She acknowledged that he had made mistakes but rejected the picture of him being circulated online. She also pushed back against judgments about his tattoos and asked people to let her only son rest in peace. The family’s immediate focus, she said, was arranging his funeral.
His parents said Carth had been reconnecting with his biological father, working toward getting his driver’s permit and preparing for a scheduled job interview before he was killed. Mesaric-Rodgers described him as a good kid who had been finding his way back after a difficult period.
A fundraiser has been organized to help the family with funeral expenses, according to the station.
Desert Pines High School Principal Shirley Jimenez sent students and families a message about the death of a former student. In the statement obtained by 8 News Now, she said counseling resources would be available and urged parents to watch for grief or behavioral changes, keep communication open and give children room to discuss their feelings.
The report did not establish the shooter’s identity or a motive. Anyone with information can contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or homicide@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Family Honors Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers, 15, After Las Vegas Arts District Shooting
A vigil for 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers brought loved ones back to the Las Vegas shooting scene as his family challenged online speculation about him.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 11, 2026 11:34 am ET
Carth Onasi Jacobs-Rodgers (Courtesy photo)
LAS VEGAS, NV — Loved ones gathered Monday near Main Street and Charleston Boulevard to remember 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs Rodgers, who was killed in a shooting during First Friday in the Arts District on Oct. 2.
His family identified him as the teen who died, according to 8 News Now. The station spoke with his legal guardian, Tara Mesaric-Rodgers, who considers herself Carth’s mother and parents him alongside her husband, James. She described returning to the area where he died while the family was also confronting speculative online comments about his life.
Police said the shooting happened around 10:17 p.m. at Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Three people were hospitalized. As of Monday night, Oct. 5, no arrests had been announced in connection with the fatal shooting.
Mesaric-Rodgers said she later learned that Carth’s last words were “call my mom.” Being near the place where he died was painful, she said, particularly knowing she had not been there when he asked for her.
She said Carth sometimes felt alone and had not understood how many people loved him. The vigil drew friends and relatives, people the family had known since childhood in their housing complex, and others who came to support them despite past disagreements.
Dozens of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and several patrol vehicles were nearby. Officers also stood among attendees and offered condolences. Mesaric-Rodgers said one officer opened the gathering with a prayer, and she expressed gratitude for the support.
Some attendees had been present on the night of the shooting. Mesaric-Rodgers said she wanted the vigil to honor Carth and bring people together to help the community heal and encourage change.
James told the station he had asked friends and family not to speak with the media after negative and speculative comments appeared online about Carth and his family. Mesaric-Rodgers said she continued speaking publicly to challenge those claims, including social media and TikTok assertions about whom Carth was affiliated with.
She acknowledged that he had made mistakes but rejected the picture of him being circulated online. She also pushed back against judgments about his tattoos and asked people to let her only son rest in peace. The family’s immediate focus, she said, was arranging his funeral.
His parents said Carth had been reconnecting with his biological father, working toward getting his driver’s permit and preparing for a scheduled job interview before he was killed. Mesaric-Rodgers described him as a good kid who had been finding his way back after a difficult period.
A fundraiser has been organized to help the family with funeral expenses, according to the station.
Desert Pines High School Principal Shirley Jimenez sent students and families a message about the death of a former student. In the statement obtained by 8 News Now, she said counseling resources would be available and urged parents to watch for grief or behavioral changes, keep communication open and give children room to discuss their feelings.
The report did not establish the shooter’s identity or a motive. Anyone with information can contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or homicide@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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