Rykeem Tyler was sentenced to 94 to 125 months in prison today (Monday) after an “ongoing dispute” led to an April 2018 killing in Fair Bluff.
Tyler pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Columbus County Superior Court today. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, with a long beard, Tyler stood before Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser and answered “yes, sir” when asked about if he understood the plea.
The family of the victim in the case, Maurice Moore, held each other and left the courtroom as Tyler was escorted back to the holding area.
Moore and Tyler had a history of disagreements, Fair Bluff Police Chief Chris Chafin said at the time of the killing. Moore was hanging out with some friends when Tyler saw Moore and confronted him.
An argument ensured, then became violent. Tyler pulled a handgun and fired a single shot that struck Moore in the eye. Tyler fled, and law enforcement found Moore in the street. He was transported by Fair Bluff Rescue, who met a Whiteville paramedic en route to Columbus Regional. Moore was airlifted to New Hanover, where he died of his wound.
A joint investigation by Fair Bluff, Chadbourn Police, the State Bureau of Investigation and the sheriff’s office determined Tyler was hiding in North Raleigh, where he was picked up in the days following the killing.
