A newlywed man was brutally murdered just hours after marrying his wife after a romantic gesture went horribly wrong.
Tyrek Burton, 37, wed long term partner Kiara, 33, in Greensboro, North Carolina, last October, only to be shot dead outside the venue the same evening.
And now Kiara has revealed what happened. She says Tyrek believed she’d left and went to go home without her.
On realizing Kiara, the mother of his four children, was still inside, he turned back to go and collect her.
‘It was a road rage incident,’ Kiara said, picking up the story during a chat with Fox 8.
‘Pretty much a stranger or someone we didn’t know. Felt that he cut him off and confronted him about it, and it ended up terribly wrong.’
The couple had been together for over a decade and wanted to officially get married for their four children, who were present at the wedding.
‘I would have to say our happiest moments was seeing our kids smiling … The wedding was for them. Our plan was to elope … The kids wanted a wedding,’ Kiara said.
The couple were seen in pictures from the night posing at the altar and walking into their reception for their first dance as husband and wife.
After the wedding vows and celebration, Tyrek was ambushed at the venue’s parking loot and shot dead in front of his bride and daughter. The killer fled the scene.
Tyrek was shot at least 15 times, according to police. Police said that although ‘lifesaving efforts were immediately initiated,’ he died later that night.
Kiara Burton married her long-time partner Tyrek Burton, 37, last October. Their celebration turned to tragedy when he was shot dead in the parking lot of their wedding venue
Kiara, 33, is speaking out in hopes someone can help locate her husband’s killer
The widow is seen smiling as Burton embraces her on their wedding night in North Carolina
His sister Brittany Burton explained how Tyrek had left the wedding venue because he thought his bride had already headed home, with that misunderstanding ending in his murder.
‘He made a U-turn and I guess didn’t see somebody. Cut them off and that person followed him back to the park,’ Brittany told ABC 7 last year.
Tyrek’s killer has still not been identified, Kiara is speaking out in hopes someone can help locate them.
‘He was so giving. He was a provider. He was a protector. Great husband. Great friend,’ Kiara said of her late husband.
‘There’s no way this person did something like this and slept on it and didn’t tell nobody. If you know something, say something,’ she added.
Shaye Holloway, the bride’s sister, took to Facebook to pay tribute to her late brother-in-law.
‘Life is so unfair. Life is really too short. How did the day we all been waiting for turn out so bad. A beautiful day ended up so ugly,’ she said.
‘The worst thing I’ve EVER had to witness. I’m just so hurt. I’m hurt for my sister and they girls. Family and friends. I’m lost, I’m confused all while trying to be strong for my sister and nieces.
Police said that officer responded ‘in reference to an aggravated assault’ last October. Tyrek was reportedly shot 15 times
Bittersweet moments of the couple on their special night, just before violence ensued
Police said that although ‘lifesaving efforts were immediately initiated,’ Burton died later that night
‘All I keep thinking like why him?? Why on the wedding day?? Why just why?? The replays of it in my head… I’m just broken but gotta be strong for my sister and my nieces.
‘I just wish we could had left a lil bit earlier or a little bit later and you would still be here with us . You gonna be missed my brother,’ she added.
Another family member posted a video montage from the wedding night as loved ones celebrated their love.
‘My heart is broken. Y’all please pray for Kiara and the kids, his momma, sister, and other family, their strength, their understanding, their comfort!
‘It’s so bad when you feel there’s nothing you can do. The only thing I can give them is God and a shoulder to lean on. This is so sad!
‘Kiara asked me, “How do I marry the love of my life and lose him in the same day?” Oh my God, I have no words. This is rough!,’ she wrote.
Anyone with information on Tyrek’s killing has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000.
