Inset: Lehman Tucker (KCPQ). Background: The location where Tucker was killed (KCPQ).
In a tragic incident in Washington state, a man faced the consequences for the fatal shooting of a young father of two children. The victim, Lehman “Charrod” Tucker, was killed while attempting to intervene in a dispute between a jealous woman and her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.
The perpetrator, Artavious Zyshue Magee, aged 24, was recently handed a sentence of 13 years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the case. It was revealed that Magee’s accomplice, Audrianna Young, played a significant role in provoking the violent events leading to Tucker’s death on April 18, 2023.
According to reports from local Fox affiliate KCPQ, Young had allegedly sent threatening messages to her ex-boyfriend, including one with a photo of her brandishing a handgun and daring him to come outside, followed by another stating, “I’m gonna light that house up.” These chilling messages set the stage for the tragic and senseless loss of life that followed.
Tucker’s mother, La Jonna Johnson, spoke out in January 2024 after Pierce County Prosecutors charged Young and when a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Young was charged with second-degree murder and has a court hearing for a plea deal set for Jan. 24.
“I don’t know what your thoughts were on that day when you brought Artavious to the apartment, but the simple fact that you sent a message saying, ‘I’m gonna light this place up,’ lets me know that you knew trouble was going to ensue. Whether you gave it a second thought or not, you have forever impaired our family. My grandsons have to grow up without their father. I’m constantly having to comfort my daughter as to why this happened to her brother.”
The violence happened outside an apartment in Tacoma.
The fight was sparked after Young allegedly got mad after her ex-boyfriend — Tucker’s friend — and the friend’s new girlfriend were expecting a child, The Tacoma News Tribune reported, citing court records.
Tucker’s parents said their son got caught in the crossfire of a dispute between a woman and her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.
“It was just the ex-girlfriend coming in to kind of start trouble, and then someone — out of nowhere — came with a ski mask on and shot him six times in the torso as he was walking away,” his mother told local NBC affiliate KING.
Tucker’s GoFundMe said he was a father, brother, son, and friend to all.
“Many know Charrod from school and sports,” the page said. “Most know him for always dancing and singing. Always had a smile on his face and made someone laugh or smile. He was known for being kind to everyone and making friends with strangers. Charrod was competitive and driven. Whether in sports in high school or music, he always knew he was born to leave a legacy.”
The site added that he had just been hired at a new job and was taking steps to better himself and be the best dad we all knew he could be.
“He knew he had the support and family behind him, that he could do anything and we would have his back,” the page said. “Now those babies need us. These children and their mothers need his village now more than ever.”
