Lubbock woman speaks out on death of son, 4 remain jailed

By Cross Warnock (Jour 3312)

LaTissue Butler, the mother of 20-year-old Tyshaun Bates, said his presence is missed by their whole family.

“I miss him daily, minutes, seconds, I miss him,” Butler said. “He was the life of the party; his presence is really missing.”

On April 10, just before midnight, police responded to reports of a shooting at the Lubbock Square Apartments in the 4600 block of 50th Street. Upon arrival, a police report states officers located Bates. Injured, Bates was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

According to a Lubbock Police Department news release, investigators were able to determine Bates was shot during a robbery.

While Bates was labeled a hard worker by family and friends, Butler said he made questionable life decisions.

“He was making money doing music, and of course you know he sold a little weed on the side,” Butler said, “which I was very disappointed in ‘cause you are a hard worker.”

Butler said those who took her son away were filled with jealousy and hatred toward him.

“People made the choice to just decide to hate on him,” Butler said, “because the things that he was doing, the things they weren’t able to do that they could have done.”

Within two weeks of the murder, an LPD news release states four people were arrested. Daytron Hood, 22, and Christopher Thomas, 23, were taken into custody and charged with the murder of Bates.

Two others, 24-year-old Lisa Morales and 22-year-old Quawnard Williams, were also arrested and charged with aggravated robbery in connection to the murder, according to the LPD news release.

Lubbock County Court documents show all four suspects have a prior criminal history ranging from assault to theft.

A report in the arrest warrant states Morales was coming over to Bates’ apartment to purchase marijuana.

After Morales left, the report states two armed men, both wearing masks, entered the apartment.

A witness on scene told police the gunmen shot Bates and left in a hurry.

Court documents state police were told Morales had told others she was setting up Bates to be robbed.

Morales reportedly gave Bates $30 to purchase marijuana but went to her vehicle to retrieve the rest of the money.

Once Morales stepped out, the report states Thomas and Hood entered the apartment and shot Bates; Williams was the getaway driver.

Crying while reminiscing about her son, Butler said Bates told her his favorite song was “Gravity,” by John Mayer because people who disliked him always tried to bring him down.

Since his passing, Butler said the song is her new ringtone and even played it at his candlelight vigil.

She remembers Bates singing along to Mayer’s lyrics while she cooked his favorite food – nachos.

“Gravity, is working against me,” Butler sang.

The four remain in custody at the Lubbock County Detention Center. Hood and Thomas are being held on murder charge with bail set at $250,000 each, while Morales and Williams are being held on aggravated robbery charges with bail set at $150,000 each.