In the early hours of a Thursday morning in the Central West End of St. Louis, a promising young artist's life was tragically cut short. Tyrell Thompson, a 28-year-old man, was walking to his car after leaving a club on June 9, 2016, when he was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at the intersection of Olive Street and Walton Avenue. The incident, which occurred around 1:20 a.m., sent shockwaves through the community and left a family grappling with a familiar pain.
Tyrell,
known for his creative spirit and vibrant artwork, had been passionate about art since he was a child. He honed his talent at Hazelwood East High School and furthered his studies at Webster University, earning a degree in graphic design. His dedication and unique style, which often blended cartoons and anime with other elements, were beginning to gain recognition. He was a beloved figure among his peers, known for his kindness and the supportive environment he fostered in his home studio for fellow artists. His death was not just a loss to his family and friends, but to the burgeoning art scene in St. Louis.
The cruel irony of Tyrell's murder is that it mirrored the death of his father, Tyrone Thompson, a former Pagedale police officer, who was also shot and killed during a robbery six years prior. This devastating coincidence compounded the grief for the Thompson family, who had already endured an immeasurable loss. Tyrell's sister remembered her brother as stepping into the role of a best friend after their father's death, making his sudden and violent passing all the more heartbreaking.
In the wake of the shooting, St. Louis police described the suspects as two or three males in their late teens or early twenties. They were seen fleeing the scene in a dark-colored, four-door sedan, believed to be a General Motors vehicle. One suspect was described as wearing a white t-shirt and white pants, while another wore dark clothing. Despite the recovery of some of Tyrell's stolen property later that evening and a reward offered by CrimeStoppers for information, no arrests have ever been made in connection with his murder. The case remains unsolved, leaving a lingering sense of injustice and unanswered questions for a family that has twice been the victim of senseless violence.
