07/30/2026
Statement from CKY of KFTC on death of Tyler Jay Smith
The Central Kentucky (CKY) chapter of Kentuckians For the Commonwealth (Lexington) stands in solidarity with the family of Tyler Jay Smith. Tyler was an 18-year-old 2026 Lafayette High School graduate who died in the early hours of July 4th, after a shooting that took place while he was at a gathering with his friends in Lexington, KY.
Tyler had his whole life in front of him and planned to attend college in the fall. He was loved by his family, his friends, and his community. It is because of such love and the loss of such a promising future, that our chapter supports the right of Tyler’s family to clarity, compassion, and a full and honest account of what transpired the night a gun was fired leading to his death. We support Tyler Smith's family as they pursue justice in his name.
Members of his family have shared that they feel cheated by what they characterize as an investigation that has fallen short and has not uncovered the truth of what happened in the early morning of July 4, 2026. In a public statement, Tyler’s grandmother, Necee Anderson said the family’s “pursuit is justice; not vengeance.” The family has pointed to a lack of accountability, transparency, diligence, and a lack of duty and compassion demonstrated by the Lexington Police Department in this investigation. They do not believe investigators have done enough to establish the circumstances around Tyler’s death and that it remains premature to publicly call his cause of death “self-inflicted” while at the same time saying the investigation is still open.
The CKY chapter of KFTC in Lexington shares concern that communication from and with the Lexington Police Department has not matched the seriousness of this case. The family says they have too often been left to learn of developments on their own, rather than receiving updates directly from the police without initiating contact. They do not feel as though they are being treated as a family who has suffered a tremendous loss and who deserve clarity and answers. As Tyler’s family has said, “We seek answers. We seek transparency. We seek accountability. And above all, we seek justice for Tyler.”
We stand in complete solidarity with this family and will do so for as long as it takes. Tyler’s story is not over. May love and the memory of his life be the fuel to help his family through this devastating time in their lives and in our entire community.
