In the quiet community of Ooltewah, Tennessee, the life of 24-year-old John Dee Hayes Jr. was abruptly cut short by an act of violence. On a Tuesday morning in June of 2019, Hayes was discovered inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the Collegedale library, suffering from a gunshot wound. The grim discovery prompted an urgent response from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, who found Hayes clinging to life. He was swiftly transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, John Dee Hayes Jr., a male, succumbed to his injuries two days later, turning a shooting investigation into a homicide case.
The investigation into the death of Hayes quickly led authorities to a suspect. Keymondreas Key, who was 18 years old at the time, was identified as the individual responsible for the fatal shooting. Investigators determined that the initial incident had occurred at a residence on Tallant Road in the Ooltewah area. It was there that Key allegedly shot Hayes. Following the shooting, Hayes drove away from the scene, ultimately coming to a stop in the library parking lot where he was later found. The motive for the shooting was reported to have stemmed from a dispute involving Key's girlfriend.
Within a short period, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office located and apprehended Keymondreas Key. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of John Dee Hayes Jr. Further details regarding the specifics of the arrest were not widely publicized, but the swift action of law enforcement brought a sense of resolution to the initial phase of the investigation.
Following his arrest, Keymondreas Key faced the judicial process for his alleged role in the death of John Dee Hayes Jr. He was indicted on charges of first-degree murder. In a turn of events, Key later entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. This plea resulted in a sentence of 20 years in prison. The resolution of the case through the plea agreement brought a conclusion to the legal proceedings, ensuring that Key would be held accountable for the tragic loss of a young life.
