In the late spring of 2020, the life of 16-year-old Tayla Jo Johnson, a White female, was tragically cut short in Huntington, West Virginia. On the evening of May 20th, a single gunshot wound ended her life. Emergency services transported her to Cabell Huntington Hospital, but sadly, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away. The incident that led to her untimely death unfolded in the 1000 block of 22nd Street in Huntington, leaving a community in mourning and a family devastated by the
sudden loss of a young life.
The investigation into Tayla's death moved forward, and within days, law enforcement officials made arrests in connection with the fatal shooting. A juvenile, whose name was not publicly released due to their age, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with her death. Following an arraignment, the juvenile suspect was transferred to a detention center to await further legal proceedings. The arrest of the young suspect brought a sense of progress in the case, though it did little to ease the profound grief felt by those who knew and loved Tayla.
As the investigation continued, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence located at 920 23rd Street, which was connected to the ongoing case. This search resulted in the arrest of two adults on charges related to the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death. Kelly Ingels, 45, and Freda Ingels, 40, both from Huntington, were taken into custody. Kelly Ingels faced serious accusations, including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, selling a firearm to a juvenile, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Freda Ingels was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. These arrests shed further light on the events that led to the tragic shooting, revealing a complex situation that involved not only violence but also alleged drug activity and the illegal transfer of a firearm to a minor.
