Who is Tyrek Hill? Orlando Mass Shooting Victim’s Mom Speaks About Her Son
The mother of Tyrek Hill, one of the two Florida men killed in the Downtown Orlando shooting on Halloween night, has broken her silence on her son’s tragic death.
Hill, 25, and Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19, were killed in the early hours of November 1 morning when suspected gunman Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, opened fire in downtown’s entertainment district during Halloween festivities. Eight others were injured in the incident.
Hill’s mother, Tersea Clinton, told Newsweek on Tuesday that her son “was a gentle giant and loved people.”
“He was a light in a dark room,” she added. “A very respectful young man who loved the Lord.”
Tyrek Hill and his mother, Teresa Clinton.
Teresa Clinton
Hill worked at Car Store Towing for about three years, Clinton said.
“The last time I saw my baby was on Thursday. He had gotten off work and needed me to pick him up because his car was in the shop,” Clinton said.
“We were talking — he calls me Ma Dukes and he kisses me on my forehead – and he said, ‘I’m going to go downtown to the festivities.’ And I said, ‘Are you sure you want to go down there on Halloween?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna go out with my friends for a little since I’m off work the next day.'”
Tyrek Hill wears a pink shirt in this photo with his siblings, mother, and aunt.
Teresa Clinton
Hill was shot just hours later. Clinton claims Hill, nor his two friends at the festivities, knew Edgar, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
Edgar will be tried as an adult.
Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17
Orlando Police Department
Hill’s family has organized a GoFundMe in honor of his death. At the time of publication, the fundraiser has raised over $9,700 toward its $50,000 goal.
“The GoFundMe funds will go to me and my family starting a foundation for Tyrek,” Clinton told Newsweek. “I want to get together with other women that have gone through this, and to be able to help other women that probably will go through this, to help fight gun violence.”
“My son never owned a gun, never cared for guns, and never touched a gun,” Clinton said of Hill. “He lost a loved one on his father’s side of gun violence, so he was never, never fond of it.”
Tyrek Hill and his sibling.
Teresa Clinton
As Orlando police continue their investigation and Edgar sits behind bars, Clinton is passionate about bringing awareness to gun violence.
“This needs to stop. It’s going to be hard, but we need to be able to stop these people, especially the young people, from getting hold of a gun.”
Clinton added, “Not only was it a tragedy for my son, but for everybody who was involved and who died at the hands of a 17-year-old child. That is what I still want to know: How did he get this gun?”
Hill’s family will honor him with a candlelight vigil at McKinney Park in Clermont, Florida on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Who is Timothy Schmidt Jr.?
Schmidt, reportedly called Timo by his family, is the mother Florida man who died in Downtown Orlando on Halloween night.
The UCF freshman played soccer and had dreams of becoming a successful businessman like his father, a GoFundMe started by the Alpha Epsilon Pi Nu Delta Chapter of Central Florida states.
“He was an extraordinary person, loving son, caring friend, talented soccer player, astounding teammate, kind soul, hardworking student, and individual with an extremely warm heart and a witty sense of humor,” organizers wrote.
(Left to right) Tyrek Hill, 25, and Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19
Facebook/GoFundMe
His father, Tim Schmidt Sr., is the founder of Ice Cold Marketing in Weston, Florida.
He mourned the loss of his son in a Facebook post on Sunday, writing about the GoFundMe, “I know I have some of the best marketers in the world in my circle, and this is the only time I’ll ever ask for a share, tweet, YouTube, Insta, or wherever you have an audience.”
“We work every day on our campaigns and try to ‘go viral’ for our own financial gain, but this one unfortunately has no gains to be made. All funds will cover mentioned expenses and if there is any overage it will be donated to our charities of choice, the Jason Taylor Foundation and SIDES.”
The father concluded, “Let’s go f–king viral for my best friend, my only child, and my pride and joy, Tim Schmidt Jr.”
Newsweek has contacted Tim Schmidt for comment.
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