Tyrone Lee Underwood, a 24-year-old transgender woman, was tragically killed on January 26, 2015, in Tyler, Texas. The incident was initially reported as a car crash, but upon further investigation, it was discovered that Underwood had been shot multiple times. The shots caused her to lose control of her vehicle, a red Toyota Camry, which then jumped the curb and nearly hit a utility pole.
Underwood was found dead at the scene, seated in the driver's seat of her car.
The investigation into Underwood's death led to the arrest of Carlton Ray Champion Jr., a 21-year-old college football player. Champion was charged with Underwood's murder. According to the police, Champion and Underwood had an ongoing sexual relationship, and the motive for the murder was linked to an argument they had over social media about whether Champion was seeing someone else. Champion's father revealed that Champion initially thought Underwood was a female, but police stated that both parties were aware of each other's gender prior to the shooting. The investigation indicated that the shots were fired from both inside and outside the vehicle, suggesting that Champion was in the car at some point during the incident.
Champion was arrested on January 29, 2015, for a probation violation unrelated to the murder case. He was held without bond while the investigation continued. The police were led to Champion after Underwood's roommate informed them that Underwood had been dating a man named "Carlton" for several weeks. Further investigation revealed that Champion had been communicating with Underwood through the Kik social media app, and messages on Underwood's phone documented their relationship.
The case was not classified as a hate crime, as the police found evidence that both Underwood and Champion were aware of each other's gender and had a consensual sexual relationship. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the shooting, including how and where the gunshots were fired, continued as police gathered more evidence and interviewed witnesses.
