Broward County

Second man faces charges in deadly shooting of 3-year-old in Fort Lauderdale: records

Mia Gilner along with other family members gather on Thursday March 13, 2025. at Osswald Parkin Fort Lauderdale. The family read a statement related to the investigation and the recent death of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy. On July 21, Rylo was playing on the playground at Riverland Park during a child’s birthday party when gunshots erupted from at least one car driving by, sending adults and toddlers running. Rylo was taken to a hospital, where he died. He had turned 3 in May. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Mia Gilner along with other family members gather on Thursday March 13, 2025. at Osswald Parkin Fort Lauderdale. The family read a statement related to the investigation and the recent death of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy. On July 21, Rylo was playing on the playground at Riverland Park during a child’s birthday party when gunshots erupted from at least one car driving by, sending adults and toddlers running. Rylo was taken to a hospital, where he died. He had turned 3 in May. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Mike Stocker South Florida Sun Sentinel

A second man has been charged in connection to the drive-by shooting of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy last summer during a birthday party at a Fort Lauderdale park.

Thaddeus Squire III, 23, was charged with accessory after the fact, according to court records the Miami Herald obtained Thursday. Fort Lauderdale police confirmed Squire’s charge is in connection to the barrage of gunfire that ultimately claimed the life of Rylo.

Squire provided transportation to Tyler Hollins, who was indicted by a grand jury for Rylo’s murder earlier this week, records reveal.

READ MORE: Man indicted in shooting that killed 3-year-old boy at Fort Lauderdale birthday party

Police said Squire was previously arrested Aug. 19 for a theft warrant before he was arrested again Sept. 30 for his involvement with the drive-by shooting.

Rylo Yancy, 3, was attending a birthday party at Riverland Park & Pool in Fort Lauderdale on July 21, 2024, when he was killed during a drive-by shooting.
Rylo Yancy, 3, was attending a birthday party at Riverland Park & Pool in Fort Lauderdale on July 21, 2024, when he was killed during a drive-by shooting.

On July 21, Rylo was gunned down while attending a Sesame Street-themed birthday party at Riverland Park & Pool. Paramedics rushed the child to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died.

READ MORE: ‘He was too good for this world’: Family mourns 3-year-old boy killed at a birthday party

After the barrage of gunfire, two cars —a 2024 red Mercedes-Benz C300 and a 2017 black Mercedes-Benz C300 — sped away from the scene. Police found the vehicles days later. It’s unclear if Squire was driving one of those cars.

On Thursday, more than two dozen of Rylo’s family members gathered at Osswald Park in Fort Lauderdale to demand that justice be served, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

Damia Gilner, a cousin of Rylo, thanked police for their work that led to Hollins’ arrest.

“While this arrest does not and will never replace the void in our hearts or the absence in our home, it does bring us some solace and peace and most importantly closer to justice for Rylo,” she said.

The family urged community members to cooperate with police. Family friend Jimmere Prescott said the family is “just sitting back waiting for everything to fall together.”

The family of Rylo Yancy gathers for a prayer circle on Thursday March 13, 2025. at Osswald Parkin Fort Lauderdale. The family read a statement related to the investigation and the recent death of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy. On July 21, Rylo was playing on the playground at Riverland Park during a child’s birthday party when gunshots erupted from at least one car driving by, sending adults and toddlers running. Rylo was taken to a hospital, where he died. He had turned 3 in May. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The family of Rylo Yancy gathers for a prayer circle on Thursday March 13, 2025. at Osswald Parkin Fort Lauderdale. The family read a statement related to the investigation and the recent death of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy. On July 21, Rylo was playing on the playground at Riverland Park during a child’s birthday party when gunshots erupted from at least one car driving by, sending adults and toddlers running. Rylo was taken to a hospital, where he died. He had turned 3 in May. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Mike Stocker South Florida Sun Sentinel
Profile Image of Devoun Cetoute
Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
305-376-2026
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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