Tommy Joe Tyler is now charged with the attempted murder of his estranged wife, Jennifer Tyler and the murder of her male friend - Steven Milton Blanks.
Tyler made his $135,000 dollar bond and is now back home in Trafford. Blanks' family is planning his funeral and Jennifer Tyler is recovering at her brother's home.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Detectives say 43-year -old Tyler hatched an elaborate plan to kill his wife and Blanks, starting with a phone call on Saturday evening.
"He had called her on her cell phone to come by and pick up some money and made the statement, if the door is locked just break out the window, which is very odd," says Randy Christian, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
Around ten p.m. Saturday, Jennifer Tyler and Steven Blanks arrived at Tyler's home on Gurley Road. Then they entered the house, Tyler opened fire, striking Blanks in the head, killing him and grazing Jennifer Tyler's neck. Then Tommy Joe Tyler called police.
"He tried to say there were intruders in his house, even pretending at first that he didn't know who he had shot. Just that there were 2 people in his house trying to break in and he'd shot them," says Christian.
But Jennifer Tyler survived the attack and was able to speak to the officers who arrived on the scene. Christian says it didn't take long for detectives to dismiss the idea the shooting was an act of self defense.
"I think he knew they were coming, I think he waited on them and I think he ambushed them," says Christian.
Trafford is a town of about 500 people, where everyone knows each other. These shootings are a shock to most.
"It's unusual for this town. Not much goes in here because it's pretty well patrolled. It's quiet up here," explains Sandra Smith.
And a tragedy for everyone involved.
The Tyler's have two children together - two girls. The oldest celebrated her birthday on Sunday.
Jennifer Tyler is 31. Steven Milton Blanks was 49.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement