Ty'Leia Junius, a 14-year-old girl from Akron, Ohio, tragically lost her life on June 4, 2020. She was a student in the Akron Public School District, attending an alternative program known as LEAP in Green. Described as a sweet and typical 14-year-old, Ty'Leia was known to be a fighter. She was born on November 6, 2005, to her loving parents, Jhovonne Taylor and Tywan D.
Junius.
On the night of her death, Ty'Leia and a 24-year-old man named Derail Whisenant were found shot in the 90 block of Brighton Drive. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Ty'Leia succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest, while Derail died from a gunshot wound to the head. A 20-year-old man, Erick Sarzosa, was found with a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to police, the victims were shot during a fight.
Erick Sarzosa was later charged with two counts of murder, obstructing official business, and tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Summit County Jail following the incident. The Akron Public Schools family mourned the loss of Ty'Leia, offering prayers and condolences to her family.
The tragic incident left the community in shock and sorrow, as they remembered Ty'Leia as a young girl with a bright future ahead of her. Her family and friends continue to cherish her memory and honor her life.
