SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — An arrest has been made in the shooting death of Matthew Traywick, Army veteran and father of 3, after a dispute over a parking spot at a Savannah, Georgia, Target.
Tyler Edward Linn, 30, has been arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to the Savannah Police Department (SPD).
Traywick worked for Vaden Automotive, a spokesperson confirmed Monday. A Vaden spokesperson said their prayers are with his wife, their three children and those closest to him.
According to officials, Linn remained on the scene after allegedly shooting Traywick after a dispute over a parking spot at the Abercorn Street Target
Linn served in the Army from August 2015 to October 2023, according to a Fort Stewart spokesperson.
Linn was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield as an unmanned aircraft systems repairer from December 2021 until he left the Army in October 2023, according to a Fort Stewart spokesperson.
Linn held the rank of specialist at the end of his service with no deployments. Due to privacy constraints, Army officials were not able to provide the characterization of discharge.
On Sunday, NewsNation local affiliate WSAV was the first on scene at the shooting in the Target parking lot, located on the 14000 block of Abercorn Street. A crew on the scene reported seeing crime scene tape and Savannah Police vehicles.
SPD later confirmed that a shooting had taken place at approximately 4:10 p.m. and that an adult male had suffered from a gunshot wound. Authorities said Traywick died from his injuries at Memorial Health.
Vaden Automotive shared a statement on social media regarding Traywick’s death.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Matthew Traywick. Matthew was a valued member of the Vaden family for years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, and those closest to him during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for privacy for his family and our team as we grieve this tragic loss.”
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson shared a statement on his social media following the shooting.
“This tragedy is a reminder that we must redouble our efforts in violence prevention, conflict resolution, and community support services,” Johnson wrote. “Let us honor the life lost today by committing to a safer, more compassionate Savannah.”
WSAV News 3 talked with District 3 Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan about gun violence in the city. This is an issue close to her heart following the death of her son in 2015.
“I get very emotional about this,” Wilder-Bryan told WSAV. “Justice is not the same as being accountable… I can’t even go to burials. The funerals are really hard. Every time I see a young person in that casket, I think about my son.”
Wilder-Bryan said she hopes young people continue to be involved in what’s going on in their city, since they are the ones being affected most.
“It’s the young people who are getting murdered,” Wilder-Bryan said. “Every week, it’s been a homicide with young people. We’ve got to find these hooks… whether it’s music or the arts or giving them jobs.”
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact SPD at 912-234-2020 or use their mobile app to submit a tip.
The images below were from the scene at the parking lot:
A GoFundMe has been started to help Traywick’s family.