Fatal shooting in Bullard ruled double murder-suicide

Published 10:15 am Friday, October 11, 2024

BULLARD — Bullard police say a Sept. 1 fatal shooting has been ruled a double murder-suicide.

Bullard Police Chief Jeff Bragg on Thursday released a statement to update the community on the case, in which two young children, 2 and 4, and their mother, 25, were found dead and a baby was injured in a Guinn Street home.

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.

Bragg previously said the case was being investigated as a homicide but assured the community there was no public to the danger. In Thursday’s update, Bragg said the case has been reclassified as an isolated incident of a double-murder suicide.

The conclusion comes after a “comprehensive review of evidence, witness interviews, and forensic analysis,” Bragg said. No further individuals were involved in the shooting. The tenant of the home was determined to not be home and out of town at the time of the shooting.

Baby Lyric was initially transported to a hospital in Tyler in critical condition. She was soon transferred to Dallas and has since been released from the hospital and is with family, Bragg said Thursday. Lyric was shot in the facial area and will likely have lasting effects.

“This tragedy has greatly impacted families within our community and as a department, we want to extend our most heartfelt condolences to all involved,” Bragg said Thursday.

Bragg said investigators have appreciated the cooperation of the community and media, throughout the course of this investigation, “as we want to ensure accurate information is released.”

“With an incident of this magnitude there are many forensic analyses that must be conducted and some of that takes extended periods of time,” Bragg said.

Bullard Police Department said it appreciates the help of Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, Smith County District Attorney’s Office, Bullard ISD Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Warden, and First Baptist Church of Bullard. Another agency that responded to the scene and has been an asset, not only the department, but to the families involved, is Crisis Response Ministry, Bragg said.

The Bullard Police Department is asking the community to respect the privacy of the families during this difficult time. “Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated,” Bragg said.

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 loved ones viewed her as a charming and humorous lady who “brought life into the lives of her family and friends.”

Smith was a a 2017 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. Loved ones said her children were her greatest joy, her obituary reads.

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