In the early hours of May 3, 2022, the life of 16-year-old Tykendrick Bradford was tragically cut short in Hope, Arkansas. The male teenager was standing in front of a residence on the 600 block of South Walnut Street when he was struck by gunfire. Around midnight, officers from the Hope Police Department responded to reports of a shooting and discovered Bradford on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical services arrived on the scene and transported him to Wadley Hospital in Hope, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the shots were fired from a passing vehicle in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting. Bradford, a student at Hope High School, was remembered for his big smile and meek spirit. He enjoyed playing basketball with friends on his street, as well as playing on his phone and video games. The school district arranged for extra counselors and social workers to be available for students and staff in the wake of his death.
The investigation into the homicide led to an arrest two days later. On May 5, 2022, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Hope Police Department arrested 18-year-old Bryceston J. Marks of Bryant, Arkansas. The arrest took place at the police department. Marks was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of a terroristic act, and four counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle. He was subsequently held at the Hempstead County Detention Facility to await his first court appearance as the investigation into the incident continued.
