Aniya Raye Gary-Tyler, a 16-year-old female of African American ethnicity, tragically lost her life on June 16, 2021, in Rosenberg, Texas. She was shot and killed inside her home by an older young man from the neighborhood who unexpectedly came over with a gun. According to her family, Aniya repeatedly asked him to leave, especially since he was carrying a firearm.
Despite her pleas, the man shot her in the center mass with an AR-15 assault rifle.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was indicted by a grand jury in June 2022. However, as of March 2023, he has not been arrested. The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office has neither confirmed nor denied charges in this case. The family has been vocal about their desire for justice, expressing their heartbreak and frustration over the lack of progress in the case.
The suspect had a prior criminal record, having been charged with aggravated assault of a date/household member/family member with a weapon with serious bodily injury in November 2020. This case was disposed of in January 2021, just months before Aniya's tragic death. The family continues to seek closure and justice for Aniya, hoping that the suspect will be held accountable for his actions.
The community and Aniya's family are still waiting for the legal process to unfold, hoping that justice will be served and that Aniya's memory will be honored through a fair trial and appropriate legal consequences for the suspect.
