12-year-old boy dies days after being struck by stray bullet in Durham, NC
A 12-year-old boy has died after being hit by a bullet that came through a second-story window last week, as a shootout unfolded outside a Durham apartment complex.
Tyvien McLean, a sixth-grader at Lowe’s Grove Middle School, died Monday, his maternal aunt Danielle McLean said.
“He was a fireball, full of energy, loved to joke,” she said. “Anyone he would meet, whether he spoke to you for one second or an hour, you were his friend.”
The bullet that killed Tyvien came through the window as two groups exchanged gunfire around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Cornwallis Road public housing complex on East Weaver Street, Police Chief C.J. Davis has said. An adult also was hit by a bullet, according to police.
Tyvien loved science and math, could name every dinosaur, and liked to ride his skateboard and bike, his aunt said.
He leaves behind a 5-year-old sister, Te’riyah, along with a large family and many friends, McLean said.
“I would say hundreds have been impacted by his loss,” she said.
His mother is doing the best she can, McLean said, adding, “She has been pretty strong throughout this.”
Family attended birthday party
On Wednesday, Tyvien’s family had attended a children’s birthday party at the Cornwallis Road complex. His and other families stayed at the apartment, McLean said. There were about 10 other children in the apartment.
Tyvien, who was shot in his head, was put on life support after the shooting, McLean said.
“No kid should have to go through this,” she said.
Tyvien died not because of something he did, she said, but because of the reckless actions of others.
“It could have been anyone,” McLean said. “That is what makes me angry the most.”
10 people shot that night
Tyvien was shot during a violent night in Durham. Ten people were injured by gun violence.
About four hours before Tyvien was shot, eight people, including two children, ages 3 and 8, were shot, Davis said.
A black car, possibly a Chevrolet Impala, drove by a party at 200 South Benjamine St., and opened fire on people standing in front of the home.
After the shootings, Davis implored community members to speak up and those shooting at each other to find common ground.
“And make a truce to cease this back-and-forth gunfire,” she said. “Think of the innocent victims impacted by your actions. There are children in our community whose lives will never be the same.”
Mayor Steve Schewel expressed sorrow and outrage at those who would shoot into a party gathering and bring gun violence into the community.
“We had last night a terrible night, a tragic night in the city of Durham,” he said after the shootings.
As of Monday, police had reported no arrests in the shootings.
Police ask anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers don’t have to identify themselves.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 9:48 PM with the headline "12-year-old boy dies days after being struck by stray bullet in Durham, NC."
