Tiewyon Wiley

Tiewyon Wiley, a man remembered by loved ones as fun, goofy, and loving, was a 28-year-old Black father. Known to some by his nickname "Wonnie Won," his life was cut short in a wave of gun violence that swept through St. Louis over the Fourth of July weekend in 2020. His death was one of at least three homicides and more than a dozen shootings that occurred in the city within a harrowing 15-hour period, a grim start to a holiday meant for celebration. Tiewyon was a beloved family man, and his sudden death left a void in the lives of those who knew him best.

The morning of Saturday, July 4, 2020, began with a concerning call to police about a suspicious person inside a vehicle in the Walnut Park East neighborhood of north St. Louis. At approximately 10:30 a.m., officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the 700 block of Thrush Avenue, a residential street lined with brick homes and tidy lawns. There, parked on the quiet street, they discovered Tiewyon Wiley inside a car. He had been shot and was unresponsive.

Emergency medical services were called to the scene, but Tiewyon’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the location, his life tragically ending on a street far from his home. The cause of death was confirmed to be the gunshot wounds he had sustained. The police department’s homicide division immediately took charge of the case, cordoning off the area and beginning the painstaking process of gathering evidence and searching for answers in a neighborhood shaken by the violent intrusion. The holiday morning was shattered for the community, marking another life lost to gunfire in the city.

In the days that followed, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department formally identified Tiewyon as the victim of the fatal shooting. Despite the initial investigation and canvassing of the neighborhood, the case has yielded few public updates. Authorities have not released any information regarding a potential motive for the shooting, nor have they publicly identified any persons of interest or suspects. The specific details of what happened in the moments leading up to the discovery of Tiewyon's body remain undisclosed as the case continues, leaving his family and the community with many unanswered questions about why he was targeted.

In the wake of his shocking death, those who knew and loved Tiewyon were left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss. To help his family navigate the unexpected financial burdens of a funeral and other expenses, a GoFundMe page titled "In memory of Tiewyon Wiley" was organized by Lisa Basler. The page became more than just a fundraiser; it served as a digital memorial where friends and family could share memories, post photos, and offer messages of support and condolence. The outpouring of love reflected the personality his loved ones cherished—a fun and goofy man who brought joy and laughter to those around him.

As of the latest available reports, the investigation into Tiewyon Wiley's homicide remains open and active. Detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department continue to seek information from the public that could provide a breakthrough and lead to an arrest. No suspects have been publicly named, and no charges have been filed. His family and community are left waiting for answers and for justice to be served. The case is a stark and painful reminder of the gun violence that plagued St. Louis during that period, leaving families and communities fractured by grief and the enduring pain of unresolved loss.