Breakout Kings Shocker: Charlie is Shot and Killed in “An Unjust Death” 

The Breakout Kings billboards, posters and commercials said as much: “A King Will Fall.” Plus, the title of this Season 2 premiere is, appropriately, “An Unjust Death.” So, we knew it was coming. Someone major was going to die. During the episode, let’s just say it wasn’t hard to guess who it was going to be. Having said that, I remained in complete denial the whole time. I wouldn’t let myself go there in my mind — not for too long anyway.
When the moment finally came, it was a shock. Escaped psychopath, Damien, shot Charlie Duchamp from behind. The U.S. Marshal never saw it coming. It was devastating for the team and for me. I didn’t want to see anyone go but especially not Charlie. For me, this was a heartbreaking loss.

However, while he was lying on the ground dying, I loved how Charlie asked for Erica to come closer because he didn’t want Lloyd’s ugly face to be the last thing he sees before he dies. Charlie wasn’t what you’d call the funniest person alive but I liked him showing a little humor before he closed his eyes for the last time.

At the beginning of the episode, things were good for Charlie. He was being offered a promotion that would take him to D.C. Sure, it was going to put him back behind a desk, but he was being rewarded for a job well done. The task force was a successful venture and, as a result, he had the opportunity to further his career. Once everyone found out about Charlie’s potential career boost, they immediately overreacted. They (including Ray) thought he was being selfish. The cons briefly entertained the notion of sabotaging the case so it would ruin his chances of getting the promotion and he would have to stay with the team. The thought of having someone new come in and take over was out of the question. Even Ray thought everyone was benefiting from this situation but him. The cons were getting their sentences reduced with each collar; and Charlie was getting the chance at more money and a better job.

They should have known that Charlie wasn’t like that. He’s always thinking about the big picture. He made sure to include a couple conditions upon taking the promotion. And even though he told Ray he decided to turn it down, he didn’t have time to let the powers that be know. So, Charlie’s plan came to fruition anyway. With him gone, he arranged for Ray to get his badge back and he becomes the leader of the team. Charlie tried to make sure this was a win-win situation for everyone. There was nothing win-win about the way things ultimately went down.

In the end, it wasn’t his heart condition that did Charlie in, it was a bullet through the heart. That’s probably the way he would want to go out — in the heat of battle. In losing Charlie, I feel like the team loses a lot of its heart. He was a flawed leader but I am so glad Charlie was able to break out from behind the desk and make an impact in the field. He truly was a Breakout King.

As for Laz Alonso, I’m really sad to see him go. I know his movie career is taking off (I saw Jumping the Broom), but I really enjoyed him on Breakout Kings. He played one of my favorite characters on the show. I wish him well. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of him in the near future but I’m not going to lie. He’s going to be missed — terribly. Will you continue to watch the A&E series now that Charlie’s gone? This is a big question I’m asking myself right now.

The team will go on without Charlie, but I hope the show will continue to depict the impact of losing its leader. We know they have revenge on their minds. Damien escaped so they have a mission. Only, they’ll probably have to break a lot of rules to get it done. They currently do not have clearance to bring Damien in — the case was assigned to a different group. So, you know. they’re going to do whatever it takes to avenge Charlie’s death and put Damien back where he belongs — prison. Hopefully, they won’t break too many rules and put this task force in jeopardy.

A&E created a video goodbye to Alonso — hear from Laz himself as well as his (now) former castmates.

Breakout Kings airs Sundays at 10/9c on A&E.