In the early morning hours of April 12, 2019, Tylon Vail, a 16-year-old Black male, was inside his grandmother's home in the 2000 block of East Harrison in West Memphis, Arkansas, engrossed in a video game. He was an honor roll student and a promising basketball player at West Junior High School, known for being a well-liked individual by his family and peers.
His life, however, was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence that shattered the peace of the quiet neighborhood.
A barrage of bullets was fired into the residence from outside. One of these rounds pierced through the wall of the house, striking Tylon. The young man, who was simply enjoying a typical teenage pastime, was not the intended target of the gunfire. The authorities and his family believe he was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a violent act directed at the home. His sudden and unexpected death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving his loved ones to grapple with an immense and profound loss.
The West Memphis Police Department launched an intensive investigation into the homicide. Their efforts led to a significant breakthrough on June 26, 2019, with the arrest of 26-year-old Terry Stewart. Stewart was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Tylon Vail's death. In addition to the murder charge, he also faced 13 counts of committing a terroristic act, reflecting the indiscriminate and dangerous nature of the shooting that claimed a young life with a bright future. The arrest brought a measure of hope for justice to a grieving family and a community deeply affected by the tragedy.
