Police have identified a man who was shot and killed after suspects rushed into a Taylorsville home Sunday morning.
The victim, police said, was 30-year-old Toussaint “TJ” L’Ouverture Tyler, Jr., who appears to live at the apartment complex where the shooting took place, according to court records.
Tyler’s Facebook profile says that he’s originally from Kent, Wash., and graduated from Kentwood High School. He played as a guard for Central Washington University basketball during the 2009-2010 and the 2011-2012 season, sitting out the season between, the school’s athletic website says. An article from the Daily Record News says that Tyler studied law and justice in college.
(Photo courtesy of Central Washington University Department of Athletics) Toussaint Tyler, Jr.
(Photo courtesy of Central Washington University Department of Athletics) Toussaint Tyler, Jr.
(Photo courtesy of Central Washington University Department of Athletics) Toussaint Tyler, Jr. played basketball as a guard for Central Washington University in the 2011-2012 season. On Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, he was fatally shot in Taylorsville.
Friends of Tyler have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his family for flights, funeral expenses and a college fund for his daughter, according to the site.
“TJ will be remembered for his radiant smile and personality, his unconditional love, his selfless caring of his beautiful daughter and the kindness and loyalty he displayed towards every one he knew,” the page says.
Unified police said that at about 10:10 a.m. Sunday, a woman knocked on the door of an apartment near 700 W. Sunny River Road (4385 South), while two men waited around the corner.
Once the door opened, the men forced their way inside and at some point, one of them shot the victim, police said. The woman never entered the apartment, but fled east along with the two men.
There were three other adults at the apartment when the shooting occurred, police said.
One male suspect is described by police as a tall African-American man, about 40 years old, wearing a black beanie and black clothing, including “Carhartt-style” jeans. The other male suspect is described a short Hispanic man, 20 to 30 years old, wearing black clothes, including “Carhartt-style” jeans. The female suspect was wearing a black and red hoodie and light-colored pants.
They may have been driving a black 1980s Ford Mustang convertible with red stripes down the sides, police said. The vehicle has low-profile tires with gold rims that extend past the fender and chipped paint with primer showing through.
Police did not release any additional updates about the case Monday morning, and the investigation was ongoing.
Court records show that at the time of his death, Tyler was facing charges filed in April for class B misdemeanor counts of possession or use of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. He had pleaded not guilty to both charges. Last month, a 3rd District Court judge issued a warrant for Tyler’s arrest after he failed to appear in for a scheduling hearing.
Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a class B misdemeanor. In that case, two traffic infractions were dismissed, related to driving under the influence of alcohol. An order to show cause hearing, for failure to complete court-ordered treatment, had been scheduled for Dec. 27.
Two years ago, Tyler was convicted of driving with a measurable controlled substance, a class B misdemeanor. In that case, two other drug-related misdemeanors were dismissed: possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, spice, or controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information about the suspects or vehicle is asked to call the Unified Police Department at 801-743-7000.
