Tylyike Akiel Pigford, a 24-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on July 26, 2020, in Wilson, North Carolina. Pigford was standing in the driveway of his grandparents' home on Academy Street when he was shot. The incident occurred during a small birthday celebration for his grandfather. Pigford, who was a Fike High School and Fayetteville State University graduate, was living with his grandparents at the time of his death.
Surveillance footage showed Pigford walking past a home security camera with a visible firearm, which he was licensed to carry. However, the shooting itself was not captured on camera. The footage showed a flash, followed by Pigford's body falling to the ground six seconds later.
Three men were charged in connection with Pigford's death. Horace Williams, 34, Treshaun R. Jones, 27, and Larrus D. Jones, 32, were all charged with first-degree murder. Williams later pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 17-30 months in prison, with credit for time served. A no-contest plea means the defendant accepts punishment but does not admit guilt. Williams' attorney claimed that Pigford produced the gun and pointed it at his client, arguing that the shooting was a case of self-defense. Pigford's mother, Dawn Cox, expressed her disbelief and frustration at the court's decision, stating that her son was doing what he was supposed to be doing with his life and that he did not know the three men who were not invited to the party.
The investigation revealed that Williams, along with Treshaun R. Jones and Larrus D. Jones, came to the back of the home. When officers arrived at the scene, Pigford's gun had been removed. Authorities later found the gun during an unrelated traffic stop. Pigford's family members and friends spent nearly two months encouraging anyone with information to contact the police. The arrests brought some closure to Pigford's family, but his mother noted that there was still a long way to go in the pursuit of justice. Pigford's mother, who also has a degree in criminal justice, expressed her frustration with the legal system, stating that it was a miscarriage of justice and a total disregard for human life. She highlighted the disparity in sentencing, noting that people who sell drugs can receive more time behind bars than Williams did for taking her son's life.
