Tela Gamariyah Sellers, a 24-year-old Black man known for his commitment to his family and his faith, was shot and killed on Saturday, June 20, 2015, in Fort Pierce, Florida. His death was a sudden and violent loss that marked a grim weekend for St. Lucie County, as law enforcement officials found themselves investigating two separate and unrelated homicides, unsettling a community not accustomed to such a rapid succession of violence.
Born in Miami, Florida, on August 2, 1990, to Gregory and Doris Sellers, Tela was a lifelong resident of the Fort Pierce area. He was a familiar face in his community, having attended local schools in St. Lucie County while also working toward obtaining his GED. At the time of his death, Tela was employed as a laborer for a plastics company, providing for his young family. He was the devoted father of a son, Gamariyah, and a daughter, Aviyah.
Beyond his work and family, Tela was an active and dedicated member of the Non-Denomination Faith Temple, where he served under the leadership of Rev. Reynolds. His life was one of purpose, centered on his children and his spiritual community.
The day Tela was killed, details about the specific circumstances of the shooting were not widely reported by authorities. St. Lucie law enforcement officials confirmed they were treating his death as a homicide by gun violence, but information regarding the exact time and location of the fatal incident remained scarce. It is not publicly known what led to the shooting or if there were any witnesses to the crime. The lack of public information left his family and community with a host of unanswered questions and a profound sense of uncertainty surrounding the final moments of his life.
The investigation into Tela’s murder was handled by St. Lucie County law enforcement. In the immediate aftermath, investigators worked to piece together the events that led to his death. However, the case quickly grew cold. No suspects or persons of interest were ever publicly identified by the authorities. There have been no announcements of arrests made or charges filed in connection with the homicide. For years, the investigation has remained open but inactive, a painful limbo for a family searching for answers and accountability.
The impact of Tela's unsolved murder has been a heavy burden for his loved ones to bear. He was survived by his parents, his two young children, and a large family of siblings and relatives who felt his absence deeply. The sudden violence of his passing sent a wave of shock and grief through his church and the wider Fort Pierce community. The pain was compounded by the fact that the person or people responsible for his death have never been brought to justice.
In the years since Tela was killed, his family has endured further tragedy. Both his father, Gregory Sellers, and his sister, Yolanda Dent, have passed away without ever seeing justice for their beloved son and brother. Tela's case is now one of many unsolved homicides, a reminder of the lasting trauma that gun violence inflicts upon families and communities. As of late 2024, the investigation into the murder of Tela Gamariyah Sellers remains open, awaiting any new evidence or information that could finally provide closure for the family he left behind.
