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• Actress Tara Correa McMullen died in a drive-by shooting in October 21, 2005. McMullen was just beginning her career, getting a part in the television series Judging Amy, and co-starring with Martin Lawrence in a movie that was released in the summer of 2005, when the shooting occurred. Her killer, Damien Watts, was convicted of first degree murder in her death on January 23, 2009 and will be sentenced on February 27.LA Now (LA Times): Gang member convicted of murdering 'Judging Amy' actress (January 23, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Age: 16LA Now (LA Times): Gang member convicted of murdering 'Judging Amy' actress (January 23, 2009)
  2. Parents: Devora Correa and Thomas McMullenLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  3. Sister: AbigailLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  4. Worked with Martin Lawrence and Amy BrennemanLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  5. Born in VermontLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  6. Moved to California in 1996LA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  7. Shooting occurred in Inglewood, CaliforniaLA Now (LA Times): Gang member convicted of murdering 'Judging Amy' actress (January 23, 2009)
  8. Shot several times in the stomachLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  9. Died at the hospitalLA Times: Slain Young Actress Is Mourned (October 29, 2005)
  10. Watts convicted of McMullen's murder and the murder of Thomas SandersLA Now (LA Times): Gang member convicted of murdering 'Judging Amy' actress (January 23, 2009)

• Life Imitates Art

  McMullen's character on Judging Amy was a female gang member who was trying to resist the gang life. Eventually, on the show, the character was convicted in a drive-by shooting attempt and was killed by a rival gang in prison. In McMullen's real life, she began associating with gang members, and her older boyfriend may have been a gang member. Her association had stalled her acting career, causing her to miss several auditions and casting calls. Although she herself was not a gang member, her association is believed to have contributed to her death.LA Now (LA Times): Gang member convicted of murdering 'Judging Amy' actress (January 23, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Amy Brenneman | Gang Violence | Martin Lawrence | Dana Plato | Gang Injunctions

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