A young father was fatally shot outside a Target store in Georgia on Sunday afternoon following a reported dispute over a parking space, leaving a community in mourning.
A fatal altercation in Savannah
Matthew Traywick, aged 33, was killed just after 4pm in the car park of a Target in Savannah. According to authorities, an argument about a parking spot escalated senselessly into gunfire.
Emergency services discovered Traywick with gunshot wounds and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The suspect, 30-year-old Tyler Linn, remained at the scene and was subsequently arrested. He now faces charges of murder and aggravated assault and is being held at the Chatham County Jail.
A community mourns a devoted father
Traywick was a married father to three children. His employer, Vaden Automotive, paid tribute to him as a 'valued member' of their team. The company had honoured him last Father's Day, noting how he brought 'heart and wisdom to everything he does.'
A poignant video shared by the firm showed Traywick speaking about fatherhood. He said his favourite part of the day was coming home to see his children waiting for him. His death leaves his wife, Micayla, and their three children facing profound emotional and financial hardship, as he was the family's sole provider.
In response, the local community has established a GoFundMe fundraiser to support the grieving family. The campaign description highlights Micayla's devotion as a mother and appeals for public support during this tragic time.
Calls to end gun violence
The shocking incident has sent waves of grief through Savannah. Mayor Van Johnson issued a statement condemning the violence. 'No disagreement over a parking space, or anything else should ever end in the loss of life,' he said.
Mayor Johnson emphasised that this 'needless, unnecessary violence' underscores the urgent need for collective action to reduce gun crime and improve community safety across the city.
Both men involved had military backgrounds. Official sources confirmed Traywick served in the U.S. Army from 2015 to 2023 as an unmanned aircraft systems repairer. Social media profiles linked to Linn also suggest he served in the military. It remains unclear if the two men knew each other prior to the altercation.
The Savannah Police Department has stated that the investigation is ongoing and has asked anyone with relevant information to come forward. Tyler Linn has not yet entered a plea to the charges against him.
