On the evening of November 28, 2025, a tragic sequence of events in Clayton, North Carolina, resulted in the untimely death of Kyrell Tocarise Stewart, a 12-year-old male. The incident began when the Clayton Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance involving weapons on the 300 block of Commodore Street. As officers investigated the initial altercation, the situation spilled over into a nearby apartment complex on the 400 block, where a group of individuals had fled.
Inside one of the crowded units, occupied by approximately 20 to 30 people, the atmosphere became frantic as occupants attempted to conceal firearms from the nearby law enforcement presence. During this chaotic effort to hide weapons, a gun was accidentally discharged, striking the young boy who was present in the apartment. Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of Johnston County EMS, Kyrell succumbed to his injuries.
In the wake of the shooting, investigators identified 20-year-old Ty'ryn Anthony Zah'rel Washington of Kenly, North Carolina, as the individual holding the weapon when it fired. Washington fled the scene immediately after the incident, prompting a search by local authorities. He remained at large for several days before turning himself in to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office on the following Monday. Authorities charged Washington with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death. During his initial court appearance, a judge set his secured bond at $50,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the victim's family, while prosecutors noted potential gang affiliations and previous legal issues during the bond hearing.
Kyrell, affectionately known as "Rell" to his friends and family, was remembered as a bright and joyful student at Coats-Erwin Middle School. Born in Smithfield, he was cherished by his parents and two sisters, known for his vibrant smile and love for video games, swimming, and playing football and basketball. His obituary described him as a shining light who brought immeasurable joy to those around him, with a playful nature that could brighten even the darkest days. As the legal proceedings against Washington commenced, the community and family were left to mourn the loss of a beloved son and brother whose life was cut short by the reckless handling of a firearm.
