Carlos (Tiki) was a beautiful human being and it seems his murder is not being worked at all. I can’t help but wonder if his family being Cuban has something to do with the lack of updates/progress. It’s as if he has just been forgotten due to one bad decision in a life of 19 years of unselfish, loving, good decisions. I do not know one person that knew him that didn’t adore him. I have heard he had friends with him so there have to be witnesses. I don’t think this is being investigated otherwise, with 2 witnesses it would seem to be a very easy case to solve. There is a language barrier with the parents but his older sister, who is studying to be a Dr,, speaks perfect English. His older brother (of the same name except the middle name) has gotten in some trouble in the past so I’m praying they are not confusing the two when looking into this case- even tho that would not be reason to ignore a murder. Point being, Tiki was a good kid, that made one bad decision as we all have done at some point in our lives- and that should not have resulted in murder, but even more- it should not have resulted in being forgotten. Everyone that knew him is a better person because of him and while Tiki would forgive his murderer, that doesn’t mean he does not deserve justice. I truly feel that if he were a Caucasian male this would be bigger, and the family would be receiving updates- and this would likely already be solved. I understand the workload but I also understand many have no evidence or witnesses but that was just not the case here. It could easily be solved.

Thank you so much for sharing this and for speaking so lovingly about Tiki. Your words make it very clear how deeply he was loved and how many lives he touched in his 19 years.

I absolutely agree that one decision in a single moment should never erase a lifetime of kindness, and it should never mean someone is forgotten. Carlos deserves to be remembered as the good, generous person you describe — and he deserves justice, no matter his background, his family’s country of origin, or any language barrier.

I can’t speak for LMPD or what is happening inside their investigation, and I don’t want to make assumptions about their intentions. But I can say that your concerns are real and valid, and that unequal attention and communication in cases like this is so unfair. It’s not right for any family to feel ignored, especially when there are potential witnesses and loved ones willing to talk.

I feel like the goal here is to keep Tiki’s name and story visible, not let him fade into a statistic. Let's continue to highlight his case, and we encourage anyone who knows anything — no matter how small it may seem — to contact Louisville Metro Police or leave an anonymous tip. Silence only protects the person who did this, and Tiki deserves better than that.

Thank you again for honoring him so beautifully. Everyone who reads your words will come away with a clear picture: Tiki was loved, he mattered, and his life is worth fighting for. 

Carlos Alejandro Vera Valdes was fatally shot on the evening of Friday, February 24, 2023, at 516 East Breckinridge Street in the Smoketown neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. He was 19, born in Manzanillo, Cuba on November 27, 2003, and described as someone who loved animals, often taking in stray dogs, enjoyed working out and video games, and liked the color pink. In high school he competed in football and wrestling, and at the time of his death he was enrolled in college with plans to become a dental hygienist like his father.

The Louisville Metro Police Department is treating the incident as an open homicide investigation. No arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. His family and friends remember him as kind and caring, and his death has left a large void for those who knew him.

If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Carlos, please come forward and share what you know.