Police announce charge in connection to shooting death of Lafayette grad
A 20-year-old man has been charged with evidence tampering in connection to the death of a man who was shot on Blue Bonnet Drive early July 4.
The family of Tyler Jay Smith, 18, shared a statement this week asking for police transparency in the case, saying they were concerned about how the investigation was handled.
Necee Anderson, Smith’s grandmother, said he sustained “a gunshot wound to the head and facial area” while attending a gathering with five other young adults.
The Lexington Police Department said in a news release late Saturday morning that they were called to a shooting in the 3800 block of Blue Bonnet at 2:36 a.m. July 4.
“Upon arrival, officers located a male adult victim suffering from a reported accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the release stated. “The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
“After conducting multiple interviews and reviewing evidence,” Bryce M. Chestnut was charged Friday evening with tampering with physical evidence, police said.
Lexington police did not name Smith in the news release issued Saturday.
Police ask that anyone with information about the case call them at 859-258-3600 or submit an anonymous tip through Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling 859-253-2020, visiting bluegrasscrimestoppers.com or using the P3 Tips app at p3tips.com.
Anderson said Smith graduated from Lafayette High School last month.
This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
