Tyquan Vonricco Washington, an 18-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on February 13, 2018, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Washington, who was the nephew of "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino and the son of recording artist Ricco Barrino, was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the 700 block of Hyde Drive just before 11 a.m.
Emergency crews performed life-saving measures, but Washington was pronounced dead at Moses Cone Hospital.
David Lee White Jr., a 21-year-old male from Greensboro, was arrested in connection with the shooting. White was charged with first-degree murder and was held in the Guilford County Jail without bond. According to police, White robbed Washington for less than $15 before fatally shooting him. The two individuals knew each other prior to the incident.
In January 2024, David Lee White Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Guilford County Superior Court. He was sentenced to at least 26 years in prison. The family's publicist mentioned that Washington aspired to pursue a career in music like his father and was expected to see his dad the week he was killed.
The death of Tyquan Vonricco Washington deeply affected his family, with both his father and aunt expressing their grief on social media. Ricco Barrino posted a heartfelt love letter to his son on Instagram, while Fantasia Barrino also shared her sorrow and asked for prayers for her family. Washington's death serves as a tragic reminder of the impact of gun violence on families and communities.
