Tyree Bates had a lot to look forward to: Turning 15, getting more playing time on his high school basketball team, starting 10th grade.
But instead of cheering him on as he dunks a basketball, his family and friends are maintaining a memorial for him at 4th and Susquehanna in Kensington, the spot where he was shot on July 17, 2018. He died a few hours later at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
Four other people, including an 11-year-old and a 24-year-old man down the block, were wounded in the shooting. No arrests have been made.
“He was a good kid,” said close family friend, Taina Diana, 17, sitting at the dining room table of her home in Northeast Philadelphia. “He was funny. He always, always knew how to put a smile on someone’s face, even if you didn’t want to smile. He had a huge smile and it was contagious.”
Tyree was born Aug. 5, 2003 in Philadelphia to Latoya Walker and Brian Bates. Tyree had two older brothers, an older sister and one younger brother, and was raised at 5th and Diamond.
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Tyree loved Disney movies and knew all the words to “High School Musical.” He also loved to dance to “throwback” music like New Edition.
Basketball was his life, though. He dreamed about going pro, and Taina said he had been playing basketball at a playground earlier on the night he died.
Taina has a video of Tyree’s basketball coach, Jason Skovronski, giving a speech memorializing him in the high school gym. The other players signed Tyree’s jersey and presented it to his family.
As a freshman, Tyree didn’t get a lot of playing time on the court, Jason said. But he never complained. He still showed up for practice every day and worked hard.
“His willingness to not give up and not quit when things weren’t so easy is something I’ll always remember about Tyree,” Jason said. “To his family and friends, I want to personally thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege to coach such an amazing young man like Tyree.”
According to police, the shooting was the result of a neighborhood beef that didn’t directly involve Tyree. Anyone with information can make an anonymous tip to the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS. A reward of up to $20,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
“He was a good person, he was not a troubled child, and he did not deserve what happened to him,” Taina said “I want him to get justice.”
Date: 2018-07-17
Location: 2100 N. 4th St. , Philadelphia, PA
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Reporter video from balloon release:
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