A 47-year-old woman, Racquel Mahone, lost her life in a tragic shooting that unfolded in the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant in College Park, Georgia, during the late hours of August 26 or the early morning of August 27, 2023. Mahone was an unintended victim, caught in the crossfire of a gun battle that allegedly involved her own son.
The evening began with a family gathering at the Cozumel Cantina on Old National Highway.
At some point, Racquel Mahone's 25-year-old son, Jonathan Tyler, was reportedly denied re-entry into the establishment, allegedly due to intoxication. This refusal is said to have escalated into a violent confrontation. According to the restaurant owner, an angered Tyler went to a vehicle, retrieved a firearm, and opened fire on a security guard.
The security guard, identified as Pedro Hernandez, returned fire in self-defense. During this exchange of gunfire, Racquel Mahone, who was resting in her car in the parking lot, was tragically struck by a bullet. Despite the immediate response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Her son, Jonathan Tyler, also sustained a gunshot wound to his arm and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the investigation quickly centered on Jonathan Tyler's role in the incident. He was subsequently arrested and is facing a charge of felony murder in connection with his mother's death. He is currently being held at the Fulton County Jail. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and further details regarding the legal proceedings are pending. The security guard, Pedro Hernandez, was questioned by authorities, and the focus of the investigation has remained on the actions of Jonathan Tyler.
