LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — UPDATE: July 14 at 3:30 p.m.
New details have emerged in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Tyler Smith on Blue Bonnet Drive, where 20-year-old Bryce M. Chestnut has been charged with tampering with physical evidence.
Around 2:40 a.m. on July 4, Lexington Police Department officers responded to the 3800 block of Blue Bonnet Drive after reports of a shooting. Officers found a man suffering from a reported accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
Detectives investigated the shooting and charged Chestnut on July 10 with tampering with physical evidence in connection with the incident.
According to a uniform citation issued by the Lexington Police Department, officers responding to the scene where they located a firearm and shell casing. Witnesses told officers that Chestnut had been in possession of a firearm different from the one officers found. A preliminary examination at the Kentucky State Police forensics laboratory confirmed the shell casing and firearm recovered did not match.
When interviewed, Chestnut told investigators he had handed his firearm to the victim, identified as Tyler, before they reportedly used it on themselves. Chestnut said he removed his handgun from the scene without disclosing it to officers. According to the citation, by removing the firearm, Chestnut removed physical evidence from the scene of an official proceeding involving a death investigation.
Chestnut is scheduled to appear in Fayette County court on Aug. 12.
Original Story:
The Lexington Police Department has announced that a 20-year-old man is facing charges following a shooting incident that occurred on the morning of July 4.
According to a press release, around 2:40 a.m. on July 4, police officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Blue Bonnet Drive in Lexington in response to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a male adult victim who was suffering from a reported accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police report the victim was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Following the shooting incident, the Lexington Police Department began conducting interviews and gathering evidence. On Friday, July 10, detectives charged 20-year-old Bryce M. Chestnut with tampering with physical evidence in connection to the shooting incident, according to the press release.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Lexington Police Department is encouraging residents with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Lexington Police Department at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers through phone at (859) 253-2020, online at this link, or through the P3 Tips app at this link.
Family and friends have organized a GoFundMe for the victim, identified as Tyler Smith, a recent Lafayette Senior High School graduate and "an extraordinary young man."
"No matter where he was, Tyler had a way of making people feel welcome. He was a hardworking young man with a bright future, having just graduated from Lafayette High School. This was supposed to be the summer he celebrated with friends before beginning the next chapter of his life and chasing his dreams," the organizer of the GoFundMe, Wade Larson, wrote.
To learn more about Smith's legacy or to donate to the GoFundMe, visit this link: Support for Tyler's Mother After Tragic Loss, GoFundMe
This is an ongoing story, and LEX News will provide more information as it becomes available.
