In the city of Lexington, Kentucky, a bright and promising young life was tragically cut short on February 6, 2022. Landon Hayes, a 10-year-old boy, was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. Remembered for his beautiful smile and contagious laugh, Landon was a fifth-grade student at Ashland Elementary School, where he had been a cherished member of the school community since kindergarten.
He was known for his love of football, his family, and the joy he found in being around his friends and teachers.
The events of that Sunday unfolded at a residence on North Upper Street. According to the Fayette County Coroner's office and the Lexington Police Department, Landon was the victim of a homicide. The investigation revealed that Tyrus Lathem, the 22-year-old boyfriend of Landon's mother, was the perpetrator. After shooting Landon, Lathem then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life in the same tragic incident.
The loss of Landon sent ripples of grief through his family, school, and the wider community. His youth football team, the Lexington Ravens, mourned the passing of a player they described as 'smart, athletic, funny and full of life.' In the wake of the tragedy, grief counselors were made available at Ashland Elementary to support students and staff struggling to comprehend the sudden loss of their classmate and friend. The community came together to remember a young boy whose vibrant spirit had touched so many in his short life, a life ended in a senseless act of violence that left a family and a community heartbroken.
