‘Justice for Rylo.’ Police conclude investigation of shooting that killed a child
Jerrold Pough cradled a Batman stuffed bear in his arms, pressing down on its paw to hear the recorded voice of his grandson, 3-year-old Rylo Yancy, who was killed by gunfire at a children’s birthday party in Fort Lauderdale last summer.
On Thursday, more than a year later, Rylo’s family gathered at the Fort Lauderdale police headquarters as Chief Bill Schultz announced the case’s resolution: four arrests.
“I really had to put myself in patient mode and let God take control,” Pough said. “And I got my answer.”
The four are accused of opening fire at the children’s party because of a personal feud, police say.
“So because of the acts of these cowards ... a baby’s killed because they had a beef with someone else at the party,” police detective Don Geiger said. “They couldn’t control their anger.”
Two cars — a 2024 red Mercedes-Benz C300 and a 2017 black Mercedes-Benz C300 — sped from Riverland Park & Pool. Police later found both vehicles, but the investigation into who fired the shots stretched on for months.
Authorities revealed the arrests came after more than three dozen tips from the public.
“I want to thank the members of our community who bravely came forward with tips and information to assist us in this investigation,” said Schultz, who became emotional as he spoke of Rylo. “This is a testament, your cooperation and partnership was instrumental in helping bring this case to closure.”
MORE:Man indicted in shooting that killed 3-year-old boy at Fort Lauderdale birthday party
Tyler Hollins, 21, was the first indicted, in March, on a charge of first-degree murder. In September, indictments were returned for three more men: Andrew St. Louis, 20, arrested in Tennessee with help from the U.S. Marshals Service; and Tommie Allen, 19, along with Antonio Carter, 20, both taken into custody in Fort Lauderdale. All three face charges of first-degree attempted murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder with a firearm.
St. Louis remains in a Rutherford County, Tennesse jail as of Thursday, records show.
MORE: ‘He was too good for this world’: Family mourns 3-year-old boy killed at a birthday party
Authorities would not provide details on each man’s role in the fatal shooting.
A fifth man, Thaddeus Squire III had been previously arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact in connection to Rylo’s murder in October 2024, according to court records.
An “opp” at the park?
A woman says Squire dropped her off to work a hostess shift at Flanigan’s around 4 p.m. — right before the shooting. She told authorities during a July deposition that Hollins was in the back seat of the black Mercedes, but she did not know him at the time, court records show.
Squire told the woman he forgot to tell her that he was bringing his friend to take her to work, court records show. And while Squire did not have a gun, the woman said Hollins did.
At one point, the car pulled up to a stoplight next to two other people in a red Mercedes, she said in the deposition.
“They were like flashing the gun, making jokes, ‘oh, I’ll shoot you’ and I felt a little bit uncomfortable,” she said in the deposition.
Days later, the woman saw the news reports, including the descriptions of the cars police gave, and asked Squire what was going on.
That’s when Squire told her: “My [dawgs] did that.”
“He said that they were trying to get a person, I guess who they had beef with or whatever, and it hit the baby instead of the person who they were trying to get,” the woman said.
The woman said she then sent in an anonymous tip.
Other court record dispositions show that Squire admitted to police that he was the driver of the car at the time of the shooting, though he originally denied it.
He also told police the names of several of his friends, including that of Hollins. Squire later admitted that the group had an “opp,” referring to an “opposition” or adversary at the park, court records show.
Forever remembered and loved
In the crowded police conference room, love for Rylo filled the air. A dozen family members wore T-shirts from his three birthdays, now keepsakes of a short life. Most cried as they comforted each other.
“I could never heal,” Pough said.
Now all he can do is listen to Rylo’s voice in the batman bear, saying “Hallelujah” and “Amen,” taught to him by his grandmother who would often take him to church.
When Rylo was born, Pough thought he was “the smartest little boy in the world, ” he told the Miami Herald days after Rylo was killed. The toddler had started talking at nine months. “He was just 3, and he was so smart you wouldn’t believe it.”
Rylo had been on the slide at the park during a Sesame Street–themed birthday party when gunfire sounded around 4:30 p.m. A bullet struck him. Paramedics rushed him to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died.
Geiger has been connected to the case since its beginning, even holding Rylo’s hand in the hospital.
“You have to put your emotions aside for the justice, for the family and justice for Rylo,” he said. “I never want to speak their names again, but I’ll speak his name forever.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 1:09 PM.