Boy, 11, killed after helping friend's grandmother put up Christmas tree
An 11-year-old boy walking with his friend was shot dead in a drive-by shooting, devastating his family as police try to catch the killer.
Tyrell Sims had dreams of playing in the NFL one day and recently received top grades at school, however the police say the 11-year-old was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to WSB-TV, Tyrell was shot last Friday night when he was walking home with his best friend. The pair had been helping the friend’s grandmother set up her Christmas tree.
Police said a car, potentially a stolen Lexus, drove by and opened fire, according to the Atlanta-based news station.
The two children were walking along a road in East Point, Georgia, when the shooting happened.
Tyrell’s father, Conrad Sims, told the station he heard a gunshot and then a man ran up to, telling him someone had shot Tyrell.
Mr Sims said his son’s friend tried to shake him, but Tyrell didn’t get up and he later died in hospital.
The friend told police he pretended to be dead until the car drove off, after he heard bullets brush past his head, police records obtained by AJC.com say.
Mr Sims told WSB-TV when his son got all As on his last report card, he took Tyrell shopping to celebrate.
“I didn’t know that would be the last time talking to him or hugging him,” he said.
Tyrell’s mother is also devastated by the tragedy and wants answers.
“It was so fast - I didn't expect to do this, I didn't expect to bury my baby,” Cathy Smith told 11Alive on Tuesday.
"Man, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Could've been anybody. I hate that it was him," Tyrell's uncle Kevin Bryant said according to 13WMAZ.
East Point Police Department were called to the scene around 11pm on Friday (local time). The shooter is still at large.
“Didn't need to happen, it shouldn't have happened,” Captain Allyn Glover said.
He said the shooting appears to be related to some “beef” that happened on the same day and police are hoping to speak to some certain people to get more answers.
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