Georgia Father of 3 Tragically Killed in Target Parking Lot — Here's What Happened

Gunfire erupted in a Savannah shopping center parking lot, killing a dad of three. Another man was arrested and charged with murder after a reported dispute.

A disagreement in a parking lot outside the Savannah Target ended in deadly violence. On January 4, 2026, a father of three was shot and killed in broad daylight.

Police arrested the alleged shooter at the scene. The incident drew public attention and prompted statements from the victim’s employer and the mayor of Savannah.

Victim Identified, Suspect in Custody as Military Background Revealed

The Savannah Police Department responded to reports of gunfire around 4:10 p.m. on January 4, 2026, in the 14000 block of Abercorn Street. When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, later identified as Matthew Traywick, a sales manager at Vaden Nissan, was rushed to Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

At the scene, police arrested 30-year-old Tyler Linn, who was taken into custody without resistance. He now faces charges of murder and aggravated assault. The police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Additional details have since emerged about the suspect. An official with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division confirmed that Linn served in the military from August 2015 to October 2023.

He was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield as an unmanned aircraft systems repairer from December 2021 until the end of his service. He held the rank of Specialist and had no deployments during his military career.

While police have not confirmed the precise location of the shooting, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the confrontation took place in the parking lot of a Target store and reportedly began with a dispute over a space.

Mayor Condemns Shooting and Calls for Peaceful Resolution

In a statement posted to Facebook, Johnson extended his condolences, saying his heart goes out to the victim's family and loved ones. He also emphasized the broader impact of such an incident:

"No disagreement over a parking space, or anything else should ever end in the loss of life. This needless, unnecessary violence underscores the daily pain felt by families across our city and the urgency of our collective work to reduce gun violence and strengthen community safety."

The mayor thanked Savannah police for their quick response and ongoing efforts in the case. He urged anyone with information to come forward and assist the investigation.

According to Johnson, the tragedy highlights the need to prevent violence, resolve conflicts peacefully, and ensure that support services are available to those who need them. "Let us honor the life lost today by committing to a safer, more compassionate Savannah," he added.

Devoted Father Remembered as Donations Pour In

Following his death, Traywick was remembered in a heartfelt company statement on Facebook. The post described the longtime Vaden Automotive employee as a valued team member and extended condolences to his grieving family.

In a heartfelt video posted by Vaden Automotive ahead of Father's Day, Traywick opened up about the simple joys of being a dad. When asked what he wanted for the holiday, he simply replied, "Peace and quiet."

He went on to share that the best part of fatherhood, "My kids, staying outside, and waiting for me to get home from work." Traywick described how his children would run to the door when he arrived, shouting, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

At the time of the recording, Traywick was the proud father of a two-month-old baby, a two-year-old, and a four-year-old.

In the wake of Traywick's tragic death, a GoFundMe campaign, organized by Lily Genova, has been launched to support his wife, Micayla Traywick, and their children. It said the victim was the family's sole provider and that his sudden loss left them facing both emotional and financial hardship. The campaign stated:

Micayla has always been a devoted mother and friend, and now she needs the support of her community more than ever. The funds raised will help cover urgent costs and provide a safety net for Micayla and her children as they begin to rebuild their lives. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference for this family as they navigate the difficult days ahead.

Supporters are also encouraged to share the fundraiser and keep the Traywick family in their thoughts during what it calls a deeply painful time.

As Savannah copes with the loss of a devoted father, another community across the country is mourning its own tragedy, this time involving the deaths of a mother and her two children in a targeted home attack.

As previously reported, a 15-year-old male faced a capital murder charge for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend's mother, her 13-year-old sister, and her nine-year-old brother in cold blood.

Capital Murder Charge for 15-Year-Old After Alleged Execution-Style Slaying

The tragic rampage unfolded on Monday, December 9, 2025, at approximately 5:45 p.m., when officers from the Odessa Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the 87th Street Apartments, located at 8740 Hunter Miller Way.

Inside, officers made a horrifying discovery: three victims, all fatally shot. They were identified as 39-year-old Jessica Rodriguez, her 13-year-old daughter Kiley, and her nine-year-old son Jacob.

From Schoolyard Plot to Deadly Home Invasion

Investigators revealed that the teenage suspect, whose name was withheld due to his age, had originally planned to shoot his ex-girlfriend outside of school. But something changed. He abandoned that plan and instead went to her home.

Once inside the apartment, police said he opened fire, shooting Jessica first before turning the weapon on her two children. All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Teen Caught 40 Minutes Later, Still Armed

The teen fled on foot after the slayings. Officers located him at approximately 6:26 p.m., less than an hour later, along Andrews Highway, where he was arrested without incident. He was being held at the Ector County Youth Center.

During a press conference held on Wednesday, December 10, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke confirmed the arrest and gave chilling insight into the tragedy.

"This is a targeted thing; this was not random. Not an active shooter event and we knew who the actor was almost immediately," Gerke stated.

He also confirmed that the ex-girlfriend, the teen's intended target, had not been harmed in the attack. Gerke revealed, "She is okay … she wasn't injured … after all this happened, I'm sure she's not okay … but physically, she was unharmed."

Authorities did not confirm whether the girl was present in the home during the shootings.

Suspect Told Police Where He Got the Gun

Gerke revealed that the suspect informed police how he obtained the murder weapon, though that part of the case remained under investigation. When asked about any red flags, Gerke said there had been one previous call regarding the teen, but it "had nothing to do with this location."

In a chilling statement, he added, "Unfortunately, and we've seen that here in Odessa before, evil does visit us from time to time, and I think that's what happened yesterday. Evil visited us one more time."

The teen suspect was a student at Permian High School, according to the Ector County Independent School District. In the wake of the tragedy, the district activated its emergency response counseling team, offering support to students, staff, and parents as long as needed.

'A Source of Warmth': Mother and Children Remembered in Heartbreaking Tributes

Jessica was remembered by loved ones as a devoted and nurturing mother. Her children, full of life and promise, were deeply cherished by those who knew them.

In a Facebook tribute, a source close to the family wrote, "Jessica [...] was a source of warmth to everyone who knew her," and said her children’s "smiles lit up rooms, and their laughter was a reminder of the beauty and promise of life."

Grieving Families Launch GoFundMe Campaigns

wo GoFundMe fundraisers were created to help the grieving families. One, started by Jessica's husband, read, "I am doing this in memory of Jessica, Kiley, and Jacob, who were such significant parts of my life."

"They meant everything to me, and their loss has left an unimaginable void. We lost them far too soon, and with them, we lost a vital part of our family. Their love and joy will always be cherished in our hearts," he concluded.

The second campaign was created by Roy Casey Martinez, Jessica's ex-husband and father of the two children. He wrote, "Today, a young boy took the lives of my 9-year-old son, my 13-year-old daughter, and their mother, who was my ex-wife."

He continued, "This is something that no one can really prepare themselves for because we don't expect this kind of tragedy to happen to any of us. I am not a person who ever asks for help from anyone, but at this time, I don't have a choice."

Community Fights Back Against Rumors amid Candlelight Vigils

The Odessa community responded with overwhelming support, delivering meals, organizing vigils, and sharing condolences both online and in person.

A Facebook post tied to the family urged the public to stop the spread of misinformation, stating, "The children's father is Casey Martinez, Casey was a great father to his children… We need to be resourceful and take the post down where someone was stating Casey did this senseless act, because he did not."

Investigation Ongoing as Odessa Mourns

Police said the investigation remained active, with further updates to be provided as they became available.

At the time, the city of Odessa was united in grief, trying to hold on not just to the horror of how the family died, but to the precious memory of how they lived, bringing light and love to everyone around them.