In the early summer of 2019, the life of a young Louisville father was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. Twenty-year-old Tyrese Garvin, a Black male, had just experienced one of life's most joyous moments, visiting his newborn twin son and daughter at the University of Louisville Hospital. On June 23, while walking home from the hospital through the Smoketown neighborhood, he was struck by multiple gunshots in a drive-by shooting.
Garvin was rushed back to the very same hospital where his children were being cared for. He was placed on life support, but five days later, on June 28, 2019, he succumbed to his injuries. In a heartbreaking turn of events, his children, who had just entered the world, were brought from the maternity ward to his bedside to be with him in his final moments.
The investigation by the Louisville Metro Police Department moved swiftly, leading to the arrest of three teenage suspects. Clifton Jones Jr., 14, Dashawn Garrison, 15, and Cedell Richardson Jr., 17, were taken into custody. The trio was traveling in a stolen vehicle when they spotted Garvin. While initial reports described the shooting as a random act of violence, court documents later revealed that the attack was targeted. The suspects recognized Garvin as an acquaintance of someone with whom they had an ongoing conflict.
The three teenagers were charged as adults for their roles in the killing. The charges included complicity to murder, receiving stolen property, possession of a handgun by a minor, and receiving a stolen firearm. All three initially entered not guilty pleas in court, where a judge set their bonds at $100,000 each. As the case progressed through the legal system, Clifton Jones Jr. later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Cedell Richardson Jr. also reached a plea agreement and was awaiting sentencing, while the case against Dashawn Garrison was still pending further court proceedings. The community rallied around Garvin's grieving family, offering support and donations for the infant children who would never have the chance to know their father.
