Tavion Hyman, a 23-year-old man, was shot and killed early Sunday morning, February 8, 2026, at the Eastside Apartment complex located at 1102 South Riley Street in Hearne, Texas. Officers from the Hearne Police Department responded to reports of gunfire around 1:30 a.m. and discovered Hyman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Monterrius Smith Jr., fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Authorities launched a manhunt and issued a public alert, describing Smith as armed and dangerous. He was last seen driving a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu with Texas license plate SMG5523.
After nearly 24 hours on the run, Smith voluntarily surrendered at the Robertson County Jail at approximately 12:06 a.m. on Monday, February 9. He was booked on a charge of murder and remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, and investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The Eastside Apartment complex, a residential area in Hearne, was cordoned off for several hours as law enforcement processed the scene and collected forensic evidence.
The death of Tavion Hyman has left the Hearne community in mourning. Friends and family have expressed their grief and disbelief, remembering him as a young man with a promising future. Social media has been flooded with tributes and calls for justice, as residents grapple with the violence that claimed his life.
As the investigation moves forward, Hearne police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The case has reignited conversations about community safety and the need for proactive measures to prevent gun violence in residential neighborhoods
