In the early hours of Sunday, February 28, 2016, the life of a 25-year-old African-American woman, Tiyona M. McCladdie, was tragically cut short in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known to her friends and family as "Tai," she was a vibrant individual with a charismatic smile and an infectious laugh, who had moved to Las Vegas at the age of twelve and aspired to be a model.
On that fateful morning, at approximately 1:50 a.m., Tiyona was in a car with a male companion near the intersection of South
Decatur Boulevard and Evergreen Avenue. Suddenly, another vehicle, described by police only as a "dark car," pulled alongside them. An occupant of the dark car opened fire, unleashing multiple rounds into the vehicle Tiyona was in. The assault was swift and brutal, leaving a scene of chaos and violence.
Struck by a gunshot wound to the head, Tiyona was pronounced dead at the scene. Her male passenger was also wounded in the attack but survived and was transported to University Medical Center in stable condition. After the shooting, the car Tiyona was in rolled a short distance, crossing over a median before coming to a final stop. The suspect vehicle fled the scene immediately after the shooting, disappearing into the night.
In the years that have followed, the investigation into Tiyona McCladdie's death has remained open. Despite the initial investigation and pleas for information from the public, no arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the drive-by shooting. The case has grown cold, leaving her family and friends without answers or closure in the senseless killing that ended a young life full of promise.
