LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Sherita Smith beams with pride as she talks about her son, Tyree, remembering him as a typical teenager with big dreams and a love for sports.
"He was a normal teenager," Smith said. "He loved sports. ... He worked at McDonald's. His proudest moment was when he got a $3 raise."
But Tyree's future was tragically cut short in September 2021 when the Eastern High School student was killed in a drive-by shooting while waiting at a bus stop on West Chestnut and Dr. W.J. Hodge streets.
Police said he was a bystander, not the intended target. Two teenagers were charged in his death.
"It's just sad to see these juveniles out here committing these crimes," Smith said. "No responsibility has been put on their parents."
Tyree Smith poses for a picture. (Family photo)
Smith is now speaking out in support of a bill set to be introduced in the 2025 legislative session. The proposed legislation would hold parents and guardians civilly accountable for gun violence or crimes committed by minors in their care.
"Maybe more parents will think, 'Hey, if I'm going to get in trouble for letting my kids run wild, I need to get ahold of them sooner,'" Smith said.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Kim Banta, R-Ft. Mitchell, said the legislation was inspired by a rise in gun violence in cities like Cincinnati and Louisville.
"We need to take care of these kids and make sure they're not hurting themselves or others," Banta said.
According to Louisville Metro Government records, 13 juveniles have been killed in the city so far in 2024.
The proposed law is modeled after existing Kentucky statutes that hold parents liable for damage caused by their children, such as in driving or property cases. If passed, it would allow victims of juvenile gun violence to sue the minor's parent or guardian for monetary damages.
"Let's face it — if you're a victim of gun violence, no amount of money will bring you peace," Banta said. "The only message I'm trying to send is: be responsible for your teenager."
Smith believes the legislation is a step in the right direction to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
"If we can't control our kids, who can?" she said.
The bill will be debated when lawmakers return to Frankfort for the 2025 session.
Related Stories:
- Family of 16-year-old killed at bus stop says arrests won't bring closure
- Two 16-year-olds charged in the bus stop murder of Eastern High School student
- Family: 2 people arrested for fatal shooting of 16-year-old Eastern HS student at bus stop
- Louisville community mourns, celebrates life of 16-year-old killed in bus stop drive-by
- Teacher, classmates at Eastern HS dealing with loss of student shot, killed at bus stop
- 14-year-old JCPS student describes prior shooting near bus stop where her brother died in drive-by
- Drive-by shooting at a bus stop in west Louisville kills 16-year-old Eastern High student
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