Stockbridge Vigil Honors Teen Killed by Police Officer

November 7, 2026

Friends, family and classmates gathered at a vigil in Stockbridge to remember Tyrie Howse, 16, who was killed in a police shooting earlier in the week. Those who attended recalled his kindness, his interest in helping others and his plans to work in health care. Friends said he was taking a nursing class and hoped to become a pediatric nurse.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said an officer came up to Howse and a 17-year-old companion in a parking lot. After the officer instructed the older teen to move his hands from his pockets, the teen passed a gun to Howse, investigators said. Howse ran, and the officer pursued him and ordered him to drop the handgun. The GBI said Howse did not comply and the officer fired. Investigators said a gun was found at the scene.

At the vigil, attendees released red balloons, Howse’s favorite color. Family friend Quinn Barnes said Howse’s loved ones want to know why police came up to the teens and what led the officer to fire at him. Classmate Elaun Clark said he did not want Howse remembered only for his death.

The GBI is continuing its investigation and will send its findings to prosecutors for review. The officer’s name has not been released, and authorities have not explained why the officer first approached the teens. Howse’s family says it will continue seeking accountability.

Teen’s Fatal Shooting Raises Urgent Questions About Police Encounter

The fatal shooting of Tyrie Howse, 16, has left his family and Stockbridge community seeking answers about why an officer approached him and a 17-year-old friend—and why the encounter ended with Howse dead. At a vigil, loved ones remembered a caring teenager with plans to become a pediatric nurse and called for accountability.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the officer directed the older teen to move his hands away from his pockets. The young man passed a gun to Howse, investigators said. Howse ran, and the officer pursued him and ordered him to drop the handgun. The GBI said he did not comply and the officer fired. Investigators said a gun was found at the scene.

Those facts do not answer the family’s central questions. Authorities have not explained why the officer first approached the teenagers, and the officer’s name has not been released. Barnes, a family friend, questioned whether Howse posed a threat and said his loved ones want to understand why the shooting happened.

Friends gathered to honor Howse, releasing red balloons in his favorite color and recalling his kindness and interest in caring for children. The GBI investigation continues, with findings to be sent to prosecutors for review. His family says it will keep pressing for accountability.

Investigation Must Establish What Led to Teen’s Fatal Shooting

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s account of the fatal Stockbridge shooting says an officer ordered Tyrie Howse to drop a handgun after the 16-year-old ran from the encounter. The GBI said Howse did not comply and the officer fired. Investigators also said a gun was found at the scene. The state investigation will determine the full findings for prosecutors to review.

According to the GBI, the officer came up to Howse and a 17-year-old companion in a parking lot. After the officer directed the older adolescent to move his hands from his pockets, the young man passed a gun to Howse, investigators said. Authorities have not explained why the officer initially approached them, and the officer’s name has not been released.

Friends and family gathered in Stockbridge to remember Howse and demand answers. They described him as a caring student who helped others and hoped to become a pediatric nurse. Family friend Quinn Barnes questioned why police approached the teenagers and called for accountability.

The grief of Howse’s loved ones is clear, but the account of the shooting and the unanswered questions both matter as the investigation proceeds. The GBI is continuing its work and will provide prosecutors with its full report for their assessment. His family says it will continue seeking accountability.