In the late summer of 2020, the life of 21-year-old Tyson De’Naviousse Stewart was tragically cut short. On August 21, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Stewart, a Black male, was involved in a fatal shooting at a residence on Twin Points Road. He was discovered by police with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. His 18-year-old half-brother, Kason Keith Porter, was also shot during the incident and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Tyson, born on March 8, 1999,
was a father and a graduate of Mountain Pine High School, where he was a student-athlete, playing both basketball and football. He was known for his outgoing personality and sense of humor. He was a hard worker, employed in construction, and was remembered for his ability to make friends across all walks of life.
The investigation into the double homicide revealed a complex situation. Evidence at the scene suggested a forced entry into the home. It was also determined that both Stewart and the occupants of the residence were armed. Authorities recovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms from the location. The occupants of the home, Braxton Gravett and his wife, Madison Akers, were arrested on charges related to drug and firearm possession but were later released on bond.
The absence of homicide charges against Gravett and Akers sparked protest from the victims' family and members of the community. They raised concerns about the direction of the investigation and questioned whether racial factors played a role in the decisions made by law enforcement. The prosecuting attorney stated that any charges would be based solely on the evidence presented. The investigation into the deaths of Tyson De’Naviousse Stewart and Kason Keith Porter remains ongoing as the community continues to seek justice for the two young men.
