Malik Tyler, a 13 year-old innocent bystander, was shot and killed by Datrail Clayton in Pleasant Grove. The incident occurred on Bruton Road, outside of a convenience store in 2019.
Tyler and his friends had just purchased snacks from the store after leaving school. When he heard guns begin to fire, Tyler ran and was shot in his back.
After previously being found guilty, a Dallas County jury has now given Clayton life in prison with a possibility of parole in 30 years.
Some people who know Clayton spoke at the sentencing part of the trial.
“I’m very sorry for what happened to that young boy. He acted out of instinct of what came after him,” stated Barbara Ann Williams, a woman who helped care for Clayton.
His defense lawyer claimed that Clayton wasn’t attempting to kill Tyler but trying to protect himself during a gun battle.
Clayton has to pay $10,000 in fines, in addition to his life sentence.
I hate this young man life is over, however Mr. Tyler was a innocent teenager that had his whole life ahead of him, he wasn’t given a chance to be someone, to help someone, his mother and family will never be able to hear his voice or see his smile again. I pray for his family, and all families involved. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾