In a heartbreaking turn of events that began over a trivial parking lot dispute, two-year-old Laylah Washington, a female, lost her life in a senseless act of road rage in Memphis, Tennessee. The incident unfolded on June 11, 2017, when Laylah's mother, Leslie Washington, had a verbal exchange with the driver of another vehicle that nearly struck hers. As Leslie drove away with her children, she was followed by a dark-colored car.
Shortly after, shots were fired into her vehicle, and a bullet tragically struck young Laylah in the head. She was rushed to a nearby fire station and then to a hospital, where she died from her injuries two days later, on June 13, 2017.
For more than a year, the case remained unsolved, leaving a grieving family and a shocked community searching for answers. Despite video footage of the suspect's vehicle and a substantial reward offered for information, no immediate arrests were made. The investigation gained crucial momentum on the one-year anniversary of Laylah's death when a tip was submitted to CrimeStoppers. This vital piece of information ultimately led investigators to two cousins, Tylan and Brandon McCray. A significant breakthrough came when a gun linked to Tylan McCray from a separate arrest in October was matched to the weapon used in Laylah's shooting.
Following the investigation, both Tylan and Brandon McCray were arrested. Tylan McCray, identified as the shooter, faced multiple charges including first-degree murder. His cousin, Brandon McCray, who was the driver of the vehicle, was charged with being an accessory after the fact. According to authorities, both men admitted their involvement in the crime. In January 2023, just as his trial was set to begin, Tylan McCray accepted a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to several charges and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Subsequently, the charges against Brandon McCray were dropped, with the District Attorney's office citing his cooperation with the authorities and the fact that he did not actively participate in the shooting.
