In the early morning hours of April 22, 2026, Seth Antonio Tatum was fatally shot outside his family's home in Everman, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. He was 23 or 24 years old. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on Georgetown Drive as Tatum and his sister were preparing to leave for work.
The events leading to the shooting began the previous day when Seth and his brother, James, helped their sister move out of the apartment she shared with her ex-boyfriend, 22-year-old Elijah Mitchell,
after their three-year relationship ended. In an apparent rage, Mitchell appeared at the Tatum family home, shouting at his ex-girlfriend. As his sister turned to call the police, Seth Tatum approached Mitchell in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. According to his brother, Seth calmly asked Mitchell to leave, noting the early hour and that they were trying to go to work.
Ignoring the plea to calm down, Mitchell produced a handgun and shot Seth Tatum multiple times. The gunshots were heard by the 911 dispatcher as Tatum's sister was on the phone with them. James Tatum ran to his brother's side and held him until first responders arrived. Seth Tatum was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was an expectant father, with his girlfriend due to give birth to their daughter just a few weeks after his death.
Elijah Mitchell fled the scene but was apprehended by Everman police a few blocks away. Authorities also recovered the handgun he allegedly used in the shooting. Mitchell was arrested and has been charged with murder. The Tatum family described their shock and heartbreak, noting that they had treated Mitchell like a member of their family and that he and Seth had been close.
