STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Kentucky Man Shot In Drive-By Dies In Same Hospital Where His Twin Babies Were Just Born

Tyrese Garvin's newborns were lying in the hospital bed with him as he took his last breath.

A young Kentucky man became the victim of a drive-by shooting just hours after he witnessed the birth of his twin babies.

Tyrese Garvin, 20, was walking home around 6 p.m. on June 23 when a group of teenagers opened fire. Days later, he was pronounced dead at University Hospital, the same place where he had become a new father, reported WAVE 3.

“He was very excited at becoming a father,” a relative named Gail told WAVE 3. “Then, something like this happens and his children will never get to know him. That’s sad.”

According to Garvin’s doctors, he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body and his head. The family tried to contact the best trauma surgeons and neurosurgeons, but doctors told the family “there is not going to be a recovery.”

According to community activist and family spokesman Christopher 2X, Garvin spent five days in the ICU at University Hospital. While he was on life support, the twins’ mother took the babies from the maternity ward to see their father in his hospital room.

His babies rested next to him in bed as he took his final breath.

“It’s just a hard impact for me because I know I’ll never see him walk through that door and act silly with me anymore, but this is just so senseless,” Kathleen Roberts, Garvin’s grandmother, told WAVE 3.

“Louisville is in a war and we should not be like that taking each other’s life,” Roberts added.

Days after Garvin’s shooting, Louisville Metro Police officers arrested three juveniles who range in age from 14 to 17. Due to the age of the suspects, their names and charges have not been released.

“He was not the target of the issue, but go back to the kids,” 2X, told WAVE 3. “They’re so angry and they feel if you might be from this neighborhood might as well just do you like this.”

Louisville Metro Police said the community has seen a disturbing upswing in violent crime committed by young people. Juveniles have reportedly been stealing cars in neighborhoods across the city and using those cars in drive-by shootings.

Some of the stolen vehicles already had weapons in them, which the teens used in the shootings.

While caring for Garvin in the ICU at the hospital, his family has also visited other victims of gun violence. His relatives said they are deeply troubled by how many gunshot victims are at University Hospital right now.

“They’ve taken some of my life with them,” Cleatra Garvin, Garvin’s grandmother, told WAVE 3. “I just tell them to stop. Stop the violence.”

Now, Garvin’s family is raising money for his medical bills and anticipated funeral expenses. To donate, click here.

Police ask the public to be vigilant in preventing crime by locking their car doors and securing their guns.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.