On a summer evening in New Haven, Connecticut, 14-year-old Tyriek Keyes was shot near Bassett Street Park on July 16, 2017. The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. when an unknown assailant approached the teen and shot him multiple times. Four days later, on July 20, 2017, Keyes succumbed to his injuries after his mother made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.
His death marked the fifth homicide in the city that year.
Tyriek was an energetic teenager who was looking forward to starting his freshman year at Hillhouse High School. He was known for his love of basketball, professional wrestling, and dancing. He was actively involved with Ice the Beef Youth, a local organization dedicated to steering young people away from violence. Friends and family remembered him as a "mama's boy" with a bright future. He had recently graduated from middle school.
The investigation into Tyriek's death has been ongoing, but the case remains unsolved. Police believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity and that Tyriek was not the intended target. Early in the investigation, police indicated that initial reports suggested he was targeted. A masked gunman is believed to be responsible for the shooting.
In an effort to generate leads, a $50,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Despite interviewing witnesses and investigating numerous leads, no arrests have been made. Law enforcement officials have stated they have "people of interest" in the case but have not publicly identified any suspects. The community has honored Tyriek's memory, including renaming the corner of Newhall and Bassett Streets as "Tyrick B. Keyes Corner". His mother continues to advocate for justice for her son and an end to gun violence.
