Tacoma teen killed in ‘senseless, selfish act of violence’ officially identified
A teenager who was fatally shot on March 23 outside her home in Tacoma has been officially identified.
De’Layah Sims, 17 of Tacoma, died from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and left forearm in the 1800 block of South 15th Street. Her manner of death was listed as homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Sims’ ex-boyfriend, 18-year-old Aiden Ray Tyrrell, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, drive-by shooting and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, court records show.
Charging documents give this account of what happened:
Tyrrell and Sims had broken up around the time of the shooting. Tyrrell was supposed to give her back her belongings that day, but he allegedly shot her and drove off.
Two days prior on March 21, Tyrrell allegedly sent Sims threatening text messages when he was outside her house. He tried to get her to come outside and said he had a gun. Tyrrell allegedly shot into her next-door neighbor’s apartment and drove away.
Prosecutors allege he returned two days later and fatally shot Sims.
A plea of not guilty was entered on Tyrrell’s behalf at his arraignment on Wednesday. He is being held in the Pierce County Jail on a $3 million bail.
A GoFundMe was set up to support Sims’ family to help with funeral costs. The description of the fundraiser said she was killed just 19 days after celebrating her 17th birthday.
“A senseless, selfish, act of violence leaves our family broken,” the GoFundMe said.
