For decades, the family of JC Tyus Sr. has waited for answers in the unsolved murder of the 57-year-old White male. A man who had built a life in Denver after moving from Alabama at the age of 12, Tyus Sr. was a familiar and respected figure in his community. He had dedicated four decades to the grocery business and was the proud owner of Mr. Gem's, a family-operated grocery store situated just east of Denver's historic Five-Points neighborhood.
As a husband and a father to six children, his life was deeply rooted in his family and his work.
The morning of May 26, 1981, began like any other, but it would end in a tragedy that would leave a lasting wound on his family and the city. During an attempted robbery at his beloved grocery store, JC Tyus Sr. was shot and killed. The perpetrator, or perpetrators, vanished after the violent act, leaving behind a grieving family and a community in shock. The Denver Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide, but despite their efforts, the case grew cold over the years.
To this day, the murder of JC Tyus Sr. remains an open wound for his loved ones and a lingering mystery for law enforcement. The suspect or suspects in his killing have never been identified, and no arrests have ever been made in connection with the crime. The case is now considered a cold case, a silent testament to a life cut short by violence. The Denver Police Department continues to ask for anyone with information regarding the case to come forward, hoping that one day, justice will finally be served for JC Tyus Sr. and his family.
