In the pre-dawn stillness of August 17, 2025, the quiet streets of northeast Charlotte were shattered by the sound of gunfire. At approximately 3 a.m., 16-year-old Tyshaun Stokes stood outside his home on the 300 block of Lambeth Drive, near North Tryon Street, unaware that his young life was about to be cut short. A vehicle sped by, its occupants unleashing a hail of bullets in a senseless drive-by shooting. Tyshaun, struck by the gunfire, managed to drag himself inside his home, where he collapsed. Despite desperate efforts to save him, he was rushed to the hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Tyshaun, a rising junior at Julius Chambers High School, was described by his cousin, Christy Ross, as a loving and ambitious teenager who was on the right path. “He was a loving 16-year-old. He wasn’t running around in the streets. He wasn’t out here doing stuff that he wasn’t supposed to be doing,” Ross shared in an emotional interview with WSOC TV. “He was looking forward to his future.” The vibrant young man, full of promise and dreams, had his life stolen in an instant, leaving his family and community reeling from the devastating loss.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is actively investigating the shooting, but as of now, no arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large. Authorities have not released details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting or any potential motives, leaving the community desperate for answers. The CMPD is urging anyone with information to come forward, offering the option to contact them directly or to share tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

For Tyshaun’s family, the pain of his loss is compounded by the financial burden of laying him to rest. His mother, grappling with the unimaginable grief of losing her son, faces the added hardship of not having life insurance to cover burial expenses. The family has reached out to the community for support, hoping to give Tyshaun the dignified farewell he deserves.

This tragic incident adds to the growing concern over gun violence in Charlotte, a city that has seen a series of drive-by shootings in recent months. While CMPD data indicates a nearly 30% decrease in shootings into occupied dwellings compared to 2024, the statistic offers little comfort to families like Tyshaun’s, whose lives have been forever altered by the pull of a trigger. The community continues to call for justice, increased patrols, and resources to curb the violence that has left too many grieving.

As Charlotte mourns the loss of a bright young soul, Tyshaun Stokes’ memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His family vows to keep his spirit alive while seeking answers and accountability for the senseless act that took him away. The city stands with them, united in grief and resolve, hoping for a day when no more lives are lost to the scourge of gun violence.