John Jefferson
Inset: Lehman Tucker (KCPQ). Background: The location where Tucker was killed (KCPQ).
A Washington state man learned his fate in the fatal shooting of a young father of two baby boys when he tried to break up a fight between a jealous woman and her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.
Artavious Zyshue Magee, 24, was sentenced Friday to 13 years and four months in prison for the fatal shooting of Lehman “Charrod” Tucker. Magee previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. His codefendant, Audrianna Young, was the one prosecutors say instigated the April 18, 2023, killing.
She had allegedly threatened her ex-boyfriend over text, saying in messages, “Come outside” with a picture of her holding a handgun, and “I’m gonna light that house up,” local Fox affiliate KCPQ reported.
Tucker’s mother, La Jonna Johnson, spoke out in January 2024 after Pierce County Prosecutors charged Young and when a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Young was charged with second-degree murder and has a court hearing for a plea deal set for Jan. 24.
“I don’t know what your thoughts were on that day when you brought Artavious to the apartment, but the simple fact that you sent a message saying, ‘I’m gonna light this place up,’ lets me know that you knew trouble was going to ensue. Whether you gave it a second thought or not, you have forever impaired our family. My grandsons have to grow up without their father. I’m constantly having to comfort my daughter as to why this happened to her brother.”
The violence happened outside an apartment in Tacoma.
The fight was sparked after Young allegedly got mad after her ex-boyfriend — Tucker’s friend — and the friend’s new girlfriend were expecting a child, The Tacoma News Tribune reported, citing court records.
Tucker’s parents said their son got caught in the crossfire of a dispute between a woman and her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.
“It was just the ex-girlfriend coming in to kind of start trouble, and then someone — out of nowhere — came with a ski mask on and shot him six times in the torso as he was walking away,” his mother told local NBC affiliate KING.
Tucker’s GoFundMe said he was a father, brother, son, and friend to all.
“Many know Charrod from school and sports,” the page said. “Most know him for always dancing and singing. Always had a smile on his face and made someone laugh or smile. He was known for being kind to everyone and making friends with strangers. Charrod was competitive and driven. Whether in sports in high school or music, he always knew he was born to leave a legacy.”
The site added that he had just been hired at a new job and was taking steps to better himself and be the best dad we all knew he could be.
“He knew he had the support and family behind him, that he could do anything and we would have his back,” the page said. “Now those babies need us. These children and their mothers need his village now more than ever.”
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