Parents remember their son killed in South Side shooting

Detectives believe a lone gunman committed the double murder.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- As they cope with the loss of a son to gunfire, Vernisha and Armstead Tucker remember a polite young man who said "ma'am" and "sir."
The Tuckers' son, Tywan D. Tillis, 29, died Tuesday evening on the South Side, along with Henry J. Blue, 37, inside Blue's 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. A gunman with an AK-47 fired into the car at close range; 11 casings were found at the crime scene at Willis and Overland avenues.
Detective Sgts. Gerry Maietta and Jose Morales believe the gunman acted alone. As of this morning, no arrest had been made.
Talked about son
The Tuckers, seated in the living room of their spacious Norwood Avenue home Thursday, talked about their son.
They fondly recalled that, as a child, he played football for the East Side Broncos. Keepsakes in the house include boxes full of trophies and his No. 33 retired game jersey.
"They called him 'Tightrope' for the way he moved with the football," Armstead Tucker, 53, said. "He was very agile, had gymnastic skills. He was a unique son, very smart."
Tillis also played receiver and defensive back for The Rayen School, his brother said.
Vernisha Tucker, 51, nodded her head as she listened, pausing to wipe her eyes. She smiled as she recalled how, as a 2-year-old, he learned to ride a two-wheel bike.
"He was a nice, respectful young man who loved his family, loved his daughter," she said, holding out a recent photo of her son. "There were no problems. I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Can't describe sadness
The mother had trouble finding words to describe how sad it is to lose a child. She said Tywan leaves two brothers, a sister, stepsister and 3-year-old daughter.
She said those who loved Tywan, whom she called a "people person," are holding up as well as could be expected. The funeral will be early next week.
"He was type of child loved by everybody," said the mother. "We don't have a big family, just a lot of friends. I got a call from my girlfriend in Carolina -- she's on her way."
Residents of the Willis-Overland neighborhood heard gunfire and saw the Pontiac roll toward the lawn. No witnesses, however, came forward to describe the gunman for police.
Tillis and Blue are the city's 10th and 11th homicides of the year. At this time last year, the city had recorded 10 homicides.
meade@vindy.com