FWBPD: Seven-month investigation leads to three arrests in shooting death of Tykeis Noland
FORT WALTON BEACH — A seven-month investigation into the shooting death of 20-year-old Tykeis Noland has led to the arrests of three people.
Fort Walton Beach police responded to the intersection of Eglin Parkway Southeast and First Street Southeast about 4 a.m. Oct. 24 after receiving a 911 call regarding shots fired, according to a Police Department news release.
Upon arrival, they found Noland’s SUV running and unoccupied with multiple bullet holes on the driver's side and trunk. Noland was only a short distance away and had suffered multiple gunshots to his lower left back.
He was taken to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. At the time, there were no suspects identified.
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The investigation spanned for months, with police following tips from residents, gathering witness testimony and executing multiple search warrants, according to an addendum for probable cause.
With help from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police Department and State Attorney’s Office, three arrest warrants were obtained in May.
Ty’auvion Morris, 19, of Pensacola, and Corderrius Grant, 20, of Fort Walton Beach, are charged with premeditated murder. Nathaniel Riggs, 18, of Crestview, is charged with accessory to premeditated murder. All three were in custody Wednesday.
Witnesses told police shots were fired at Noland’s vehicle after he left the Vibe Nightclub and Lounge in downtown Fort Walton Beach, according to the addendum. About 20 .223 shell casings and five .40 shell casings were found near First Street.
Surveillance video from the nightclub reportedly showed Noland arriving at the club about 2 a.m. He was seen leaving about two hours later with the suspect vehicle following behind.
A person who was in the parking lot reportedly heard gunshots not long after seeing the cars leave.
“He stated it sounded like handgun rounds were fired first, then the rapid fire of an assault rifle followed,” the addendum said.
The witness recalled seeing three people in the suspect vehicle, who he later identified in a photo lineup as Grant, Morris and Riggs. Investigators also found images online that showed the suspects holding weapons, some capable of shooting .223 ammunition.
In one photo posted on Instagram the day of the shooting, Riggs is seen holding a weapon with a caption mentioning a “drill,” which is known as urban slang for a “hit” on a rival, according to the addendum.
The account that posted the photo was linked to Morris. All three suspects were seen on surveillance video from the nightclub near the time that Noland arrived.
In an interview with police, Riggs reportedly said he was at home the night the shooting took place. However, cellular data placed him in the area a couple minutes after the incident, according to the addendum.
In the news release, the FWBPD thanked the community and assisting agencies for their help in the investigation.
“The Fort Walton Beach Police Department appreciates the partnership between citizens in the community and all the agencies that assisted with this investigation," the release said.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Fort Walton Beach murder: 3 arrested in fatal shooting of Tykeis Noland
