Chief: Bullard homicide investigation continues

Published 3:50 pm Tuesday, September 17, 2024

BULLARD — The investigation into a homicide that occurred in Bullard more than two weeks ago remains ongoing with no new significant developments to share with the public, police said Tuesday.

While the community awaits answers, law enforcement officials continue to pursue leads and gather evidence to advance the case. Two young children, 2 and 4, and their mother, 25, were found dead and a baby was injured in a Guinn Street home.

“We have a lot of family members involved,” Bullard Police Chief Jeff Bragg said Tuesday. “We have to make sure that we’re protecting them and their rights.”

Just before 7 p.m. the evening of Sunday, Sept. 1, Bullard police were called to the 500 block of Guinn Street near the high school. When officers got there, they found four people who had been shot, including Tatyanna Smith, 25, and her two children, 4-year-old Madilynn “May May” Evans and 2-year-old Maison “Mace Mace” Evans, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. Smith’s infant daughter, 8-month-old Lyric Minter, had been shot but survived.

Baby Lyric was initially transported to a hospital in Tyler in critical condition. She was soon transferred to Dallas, where she is in stable condition at this time and showing signs of improvement.

“She hasn’t had any setbacks … she is getting better every day,” Bragg said Tuesday.

Lyric suffered a gunshot wound to the facial area, Bragg said. She will likely have long-lasting effects and will require additional surgery in the future.

The case is being investigated as a homicide, and Bragg says police continue to work diligently to gather information without compromising the investigation.

“It’s important to be accurate,” Bragg said. “Part of our job isn’t just finalizing the case but excluding things from the case … and that takes some time, especially with something as extreme as this.”

As of Tuesday, Bullard Police Department still could not elaborate on the possibility of a suspect but continues to assure the public there is no threat to the community.

“We don’t want to make any compromises in the case,” Bragg said. “Our goal is to ensure that, when we conclude this investigation, it is based on strong and solid findings.”

The Bullard community is encouraged to remain vigilant and patient as law enforcement works to resolve this tragic case.

The Evans children were laid to rest on Sept. 7. Through an online GoFundMe fundraiser, over $24,600 was raised to help their father, Thomas, with funeral expenses. The family said “May May” and “Mace” will always hold a special place in their hearts.

“You were treasured and loved more than you know,” the family said on the GoFundMe page.

The children’s obituary states they brought “immeasurable joy and light” into their family’s lives with their “kind hearts, radiant smiles, and boundless curiosity.”

“Though their time with us was brief,” the obituary reads, “the depth of love and happiness they shared will forever remain in our hearts.”

Madilynn attended Rice Elementary in Tyler, and she loved riding her hoverboard and scooter, swimming, and calling and spending time with her family.

Maison enjoyed watching “Little Baby Bum,” playing with footballs, and running, jumping and hopping.

The children are survived by their father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles and a host of other family members, according to Beaty Funeral Home.

Services for Smith were private on Sept. 11 in Tyler, according to her obituary. Her obituary said she was a charming and humorous lady who “brought life into the lives of her family and friends.”

Smith, a 2017 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, was passionate about hair and beauty, cooking and shopping, her obituary reads. She had a “vibrant spirit.”

“Tatyanna’s greatest pride and joy were her three incredible children,” the obituary reads.

Smith’s obituary states her legacy will be carried on by baby Lyric as well as through the memory of her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family and friends.