LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — More than a month after 18-year-old Tyler Smith was shot and killed on July 4, his family says questions about the investigation remain unanswered. Now, they have enlisted nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Tyler died from a gunshot on July 4 in the 3800 block of Blue Bonnet Drive in Lexington. Police have said the shooting was self-inflicted and accidental, something his family has disputed from the start.
Covering Kentucky
Family disputes police findings in self-inflicted shooting death of teen
"Tyler was like that warm piece of cake fresh out of the oven, that first slice. Tyler was charismatic. Tyler was an entrepreneur," his grandmother, Neccee Anderson said.
The family is now questioning how the case was handled, including what they claim is a lack of investigative steps.
"He was 18, he was just starting out on life. He had just gone to register for school the day before to go to college," Anderson said.
On July 10, 20-year-old Bryce Chestnut was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Tyler's uncle, Trevon Petty, says that charge doesn't answer all of their questions.
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"Talk to your kids. Find out what's going on," Petty said.
The family says they reached out to local community groups looking for help before eventually contacting Crump. Last week, Crump said he will be joining the case, bringing the family's concerns to a national audience.
"I simply can't believe what happened to Tyler. It shocks my conscience," Crump said.
Crump has been a part of many high-profile cases, including the Breonna Taylor case in Louisville.
Anderson says she hopes Crump's involvement brings more transparency to the investigation into Tyler's death.
"I don't know that that was what I wanted. That was where I was forced to because I couldn't get anyone here locally to hear me," Anderson said.
"The only thing we have ever asked for in Tyler's case was transparency, accountability, and consistency, communication, that's all we've ever asked for," Anderson said.
Lexington police say there are no updates in the case and have previously said they cannot discuss specific details due to the ongoing investigation.
Chestnut's arraignment is scheduled for August 12.
Lexington Police provided LEX News with the following statement:
"Our condolences go out to the family of Tyler Smith and we understand such a tragic loss can cause tremendous sadness and pain. The Lexington Police Department has been in contact with, and personally met with Tyler’s immediate family to review the investigation. The family has been provided contact information so they can reach out if they have any additional questions.
The preliminary investigation indicates this appears to be an accidental self-inflicted gunshot death, not a suicide. The investigation remains ongoing, and as with all death investigations, thoroughness is critical. We continue to dedicate investigators to this case. We have interviewed all of the witnesses and gathered all known information and evidence. We are still awaiting the Fayette County Coroner’s report and ballistic testing information to aid in the investigation. As with all active investigations, we are unable to discuss specific aspects in order to maintain the integrity of the case.
Additionally, after conducting multiple interviews and reviewing evidence, LexPD Detectives charged 20-year-old Bryce M. Chestnut on 07/10/2026 with TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in relation to this case.
As this is an ongoing investigation, we encourage anyone with information to contact the Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600 if they have information that may help investigators. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com [l.facebook.com], or through the P3 Tips app at www.p3tips.com. [p3tips.com]"
