08/28/2026
On August 27, 2026, a jury convicted Tyler Chase Butler of Second Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony (x3), and Unlawfully Discharging a Firearm at an Occupied Dwelling (x2).
The two surviving young victims testified at trial that they were out that night banging on the garage door of Butler’s neighbor and then running away as a prank. They saw police and were trying to evade them by cutting through yards in the neighborhood. They testified they cut through Butler’s backyard and were confronted by him after they came out of the privacy fence gate into the front yard.
Video evidence presented at trial depicted Butler on his front porch with a firearm. He confronted the victims saying, “I’m about to blow one of these n- down!” Butler is depicted in the video proceeding down the front porch stairs, across the walkway and into his front yard toward the victims. He is depicted taking an upright stance, fully extending his arm, firing 10 shots, and then walking back to his front porch. The three victims are nowhere in the video. When Butler gets back to his porch he says, “Lucky I don’t smoke one of you n-“
The victims testified they were running away down the street away from Butler when shots were fired. One victim testified he was shot in the back as he was running for his life.
A medical doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, with a specialty in forensic pathology, testified that the deceased victim died from a gunshot wound entering his back and exiting his chest, severing an artery, and causing massive bleeding. A surviving victim testified he was shot in the back, through his backpack, and pictures of the gunshot wound on his back were admitted into evidence.
Video evidence also depicted Butler after the shots using the light on his phone to look in the grass around where the 10 cartridge casings were recovered by police. His pistol was recovered by police from inside a paper shredder bin in the house, mostly covered by shredded paper. Video evidence depicted Butler with his phone held up and blue lights flashing in the background saying, “Two dead bodies. Play around if you want to.”
Deputy CA Holli Wood and Senior ACA Stephanie Fitzgerald tried a professional case to the jury. Sgt. TJ Medina, Det. JD Harris, and Det. Horn of the Criminal Investigations Division did a great job; Sgt. Fredericksen, Dep. Kemp, and First Sergeant Lewis should be commended for their valiant work in responding that night as well.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 30, 2026. The jury verdict reflects great care in their deliberations. I am thankful for the professionalism exhibited by the trial team and by our law enforcement partners at the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office - Roger L. Harris Sheriff. Murder is a trauma that does not end, but I pray the family of the deceased victim finds some solace in the jury’s verdict.
