'Everybody loved him and he loved people': 12-year-old dies days after a shooting in Durham

Tyvien McLean was shot in the head last week on Weaver Street. He died Monday afternoon.

McLean was visiting family at an apartment after a birthday party when a stray bullet went through a second story window.

Those closest to him said he shouldn’t be remembered as another statistic- but as a life that deserved more time.

He lived just 12 short years, but family and friends said he brought enough joy to last a lifetime.

“Tyvien was absolutely, overflowing with energy," said longtime family friend Leigh Brodley.

"Everybody loved him and he loved people," added Joyner Lee Grover, his grandfather.

He was a sixth grader at Lowe’s Grove Middle School; he loved church, playing outdoors and spending time with his grandparents. “I love my grandson. He’d always pat me on the head, talking about I love your bald head," said Grover.

The family is holding on to the good memories, but Danielle McLean said she’ll never forget the phone call from her sister about her nephew.

“Immediately of course my heart dropped," she said.

Tyvien was on life support for several days before he died. About a week later there have been no arrests, and the family continues to seek justice.

“He wasn’t just a twelve-year-old who got shot in the head. He was a son, a big brother, a cousin a grandson, a loved one," McLean added.

He was one of three children injured in gunfire in Durham over a span of a few hours earlier this month.

Brodley, who also mentors youth in the community with a non-profit, believes the community needs to do better.

“We all have to take responsibility for fixing our world and addressing these problems so other families don’t go through this very same thing," she added.