Tavyiah "TiTi" King, a 16-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida, tragically lost her life on May 2, 2021. Tavyiah was a sophomore at Evans High School and was known for her vibrant personality and loving nature. On the night of her death, she was leaving a party with friends and was riding in a car when she was fatally shot near a Wawa gas station along John Young Parkway. The incident occurred around 3 a.m., and despite being rushed to Arnold Palmer Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
Her mother, Alisha Rodriguez, later revealed that Tavyiah was not the intended target of the shooting.
The investigation into Tavyiah's death led to the arrest of two individuals. The first arrest was of Jacarious Jermaine Jevonte Simpson, who was 18 at the time. Simpson was charged with third-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. He was arrested in late May 2021 and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm in July 2022. Simpson had a promising future with a full-ride college football scholarship awaiting him, but his involvement in the shooting drastically altered his path.
The second arrest was of Anthony Barnes, who was 17 at the time of the shooting. Barnes was arrested in Las Vegas in June 2021 and was charged with first-degree murder with a firearm. In July 2023, Barnes was found guilty and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. During the sentencing hearing, Tavyiah's mother expressed her forgiveness towards Barnes, highlighting the profound impact the tragedy had on both families involved. Barnes' father also spoke at the hearing, expressing his sorrow for the loss experienced by both families.
The case drew significant attention due to Tavyiah's connection to Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, who is her aunt. Commissioner Hill has been vocal about the need for community intervention to prevent such tragedies, emphasizing the importance of addressing gang violence and providing support to at-risk youth. The investigation into Tavyiah's death underscored the broader issues of gun violence and its devastating effects on families and communities.
