In the spring of 2026, the life of 29-year-old Telonn Tyree Horton was tragically cut short in Kalamazoo, Michigan. On the afternoon of Friday, April 17th, gunshots echoed through Davis Street Park, a place Horton often frequented due to his love for skating. When officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety arrived around 3:06 p.m., they discovered Horton unresponsive.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Horton's death quickly pointed to a suspect, 22-year-old Carlin Andrew Barcelo. According to witnesses, the shooting followed an argument between the two men. In a heart-wrenching twist, Horton's mother, Jerell Gomis, revealed that Barcelo was a friend of her son's, stating he had been a guest in her home just a week prior to the fatal incident. Two individuals, including Horton's fiancée, reportedly witnessed the shooting.
Following the shooting, Barcelo fled the scene in a Honda SUV. Law enforcement utilized witness information along with Flock and Fusus technology to identify the vehicle. Later that evening, a resident in Augusta reported a suspicious, abandoned vehicle which was confirmed to be the SUV used in the escape. A multi-agency search involving the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Barry County Sheriff's Office, Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, and the Battle Creek Police Department ensued. Despite inclement weather, the coordinated effort, which included the use of drones and police canines, led to Barcelo's containment and subsequent arrest early Saturday morning.
Carlin Andrew Barcelo was arraigned on Monday, April 20, 2026, on charges of open murder, felony firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon. A judge denied him bond. The community mourned the loss of Telonn Horton, who was remembered as a caring and loving man. A vigil was held at Davis Street Park where friends and family gathered, lighting candles and sharing memories of a life taken too soon. Horton was also an expectant father, his girlfriend was pregnant with their first child. His family expressed their profound grief and their hope for justice.
