In the small city of Bluefield, Virginia, the life of 16-year-old Tyler Buchanan was tragically cut short in early January 2017. A student at Graham High School, Tyler was known as a loving and caring young man with a smile that could win any heart. He was selfless and had a knack for making people laugh, never meeting a stranger. His life, full of promise, was irrevocably altered on the evening of January 5, 2017.
At a local apartment complex, Tyler encountered 28-year-old Calvin
Dawayne Powers. In a turn of events that would prove fatal, Powers allegedly initiated an unwanted game of Russian roulette. Despite Tyler's refusal to participate, Powers proceeded. According to statements, he unloaded a revolver, then placed a single round back in the cylinder. After spinning the chamber, he reportedly pointed the gun at his own head and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. He then spun the cylinder again, this time placing the barrel against the back of Tyler's head and pulling the trigger. The weapon discharged, inflicting a severe injury.
Tyler was rushed to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to the gunshot wound the following day, on January 6, 2017. The community was left in shock and mourning over the senseless loss of a young life.
In the immediate aftermath, Calvin Dawayne Powers was arrested and faced initial charges of aggravated malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. At the time, the Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney indicated that they were awaiting the results of an autopsy and that additional charges were anticipated. The Bluefield, Virginia Police Department led the investigation into the tragic death of Tyler Buchanan.
