Kelvin Hayes, a 19-year-old African American male from Fort Worth, Texas, was tragically killed on August 1, 2018. The incident occurred at Pittman Park in Everman, a small town located about 12 miles south of Fort Worth. Hayes was found on the basketball court surrounded by a large crowd of people around 9:30 p.m. He had been shot multiple times and, despite the efforts of first responders and medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Hayes had gone to the park to play basketball after finishing his shift at Chicken Express. He was preparing to attend Tyler Junior College in the upcoming weeks.
The Everman Police Department, along with several other agencies including the Texas Rangers and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, launched an investigation into the shooting. The police department described the investigation as very active and stated that they were only able to release limited information in the interest of seeking justice for Hayes and his family. Friends and relatives of Hayes gathered at the park the following night to release balloons in his memory. Hayes left behind four siblings, and his family expressed their grief and shock over his untimely death.
In the weeks following the shooting, investigators identified Jhamal Farris, a 26-year-old male from Fort Worth, as a suspect in the murder of Kelvin Hayes. Farris was wanted in connection with the shooting, and the Everman Police Department urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them immediately. The police considered Farris to be extremely dangerous and continued their efforts to locate and apprehend him. The investigation into Hayes' death remained ongoing, with authorities working diligently to bring justice to the young man's family and friends.
