FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fort Lauderdale police announced Thursday they’ve taken all suspects into custody in connection with a 2024 child tragedy.
Three-year-old Rylo Yancy was killed by a stray bullet while at a birthday party on July 21, 2024. His loved ones had been waiting more than a year for answers.
“I am proud to announce that we have concluded our investigation and that four individuals have been charged in this case,” Fort Lauderdale Police Department Chief Bill Schultz said.
Tommie Allen, 19, of Fort Lauderdale; Antonio Carter, 20, of Coconut Creek; Tyler Hollins, 21, of Lauderdale Lakes; and Andrew St. Louis, 19, of Lauderdale Lakes, are all facing murder charges.
All were arrested in South Florida, except for St. Louis, who was arrested in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with the help of U.S. Marshals.
Rylo’s grandfather said the family finally got the answers from detectives they had been praying for after last summer, when the young boy was at a children’s birthday party at Riverland Park in Fort Lauderdale and a stray bullet killed him.
“I can never heal, just when you think you are getting over it the rain comes storming again,” said Rylo’s grandfather, Jerrold Pough.
Detectives said the investigation received support from the public.
“We did receive about three dozen tips on this investigation that put us on the track,” FLPD Sgt. Don Geiger said. “We were there, but we really appreciated the community’s support.”
Police said those tips helped them arrest the four men they say are responsible for taking the innocent life of Rylo.
Investigators said the shootout stemmed from an argument.
“It was a beef between the parties involved here and a patron at the party,” Geiger said. “Because of the acts of these cowards right here, a baby is killed because they had a beef with someone else at the party and they couldn’t control their anger.”
Schultz grew emotional as he spoke.
“Whenever we have a case in our city that involves a child, it is absolutely heart-wrenching, to the officers who respond, the detectives who follow up and certainly to the family we always work to support,” Schultz said.
Rylo’s grandfather said the family now holds on tight to a stuffed animal with a recording of the boy’s voice saying, “Hallelujah, amen.”
“When we look for comfort, I press it, ‘Hallelujah, amen,’ you see that’s all I got to live with and it takes me back,” Pough said, crying.
The announcement was emotional, as Rylo’s family hugged and thanked detectives and the police chief.
Detectives again emphasized the importance of people calling in tips when they see, know or hear something, saying those calls truly helped them close this case.
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