On the evening of November 7, 2014, a 26-year-old man from Williamsburg, Virginia, Tyler Anthony Cole, became the victim of a fatal shooting. The events unfolded in Ironbound Square Park, located off Monticello Avenue in James City County. It was there that Cole had arranged to meet two individuals under the pretense of a drug transaction. However, the meeting was a setup for a robbery, which tragically escalated, resulting in Cole being shot multiple times.
After being shot, a wounded
Cole attempted to flee in his vehicle. His car ultimately crashed into a nearby home on Carriage Road. The homeowner, who was asleep at the time, was awakened by the sound of gunshots followed by the impact of the vehicle crashing into their residence. Emergency services were called to the scene, and Cole was transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The initial investigation involved tracking dogs in an unsuccessful search for the shooter.
The investigation into Tyler's death led to the arrests of three individuals. In March 2015, authorities apprehended Wilbert McKenley Walker, a 22-year-old from Charles City County, who was accused of being the getaway driver for the two suspects who shot Cole. He was charged with second-degree murder. Court documents later revealed that Walker and the other suspects had planned to rob Tyler during the arranged drug deal. Further investigation, aided by information from cooperative informants, led to the arrests of 20-year-old Terrance Andretti Martin Jr. and 18-year-old Jaiquan Keonta Smith. Martin was already in custody on an unrelated charge, while Smith was arrested at his home. Both Martin and Smith were charged with capital murder in connection with Tyler Anthony Cole's death.
