In a heroic act to protect his family, 29-year-old Juavvion L. Bagsby was fatally shot on September 29, 2023, near his home in Independence, Missouri. His death was the tragic culmination of a violent crime spree allegedly carried out by 28-year-old Tyler Rizer of Blue Springs.
The series of events began earlier that evening when Rizer allegedly stabbed a man who had given him a ride. Following the stabbing, Rizer fled across Interstate 70 and into a residential neighborhood.
He then encountered Bagsby's wife, Kierra Turner, and their two young children in their yard. After assaulting them, Turner managed to call her husband for help.
Juavvion Bagsby rushed home and confronted Rizer. During the ensuing confrontation, Bagsby was shot and died at the scene. Rizer then allegedly stole Bagsby's car and fled. He was apprehended later that evening in Kansas City after being involved in a car accident and attempting to carjack another vehicle.
Tyler Rizer was subsequently charged with a multitude of offenses, including two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, three counts of assault, unlawful use of a weapon, stealing, leaving the scene of an accident, and vehicle hijacking. An amended complaint filed in Jackson County court formally charged Rizer with the second-degree murder of Juavvion Bagsby.
Bagsby is remembered by his family as a devoted husband and the father of three young boys. His wife described him as a man of faith who loved his family more than anything and died protecting them.
