UPDATE: The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office said the suspect has been arrested.
On Monday, the aunt of Tyler Heywood, 20, confirmed with us that he was the man killed at an apparent party on Guinea Road in the Hayes area of Gloucester on New Year's Day.
“He’s a very inspirational young man,” said Heywood’s aunt Denise, who only wanted to use her first name. “He loved, loved his family, his friends. A hardworking young man with very good heart.”
The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting in the area around 1:05 a.m. Sunday.
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According to the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office, when deputies arrived, they found a large crowd of people gathered at a home.
Deputies told us one man was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound outside of the home. Family now confirms that this was Heywood.
Heywood’s aunt said the entire family is distraught and heartbroken over the senseless gun violence.
“It’s a rough time for everyone,” she said. “To have such a young life and the type of person that Tyler was – is very loving, very caring, wouldn’t hurt anyone – a life to be taken away by a 15-year old with a gun.”
Meanwhile, deputies said a second man was found suffering from non-life-threatening injuries related to a gunshot wound. He was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center for treatment and was later discharged.
After investigating the scene and finding witnesses, police identified a teenager as the suspect in this shooting.
Deputies told us that the suspect did flee the scene before officers arrived.
According to deputies, the suspect has been charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Deputies added additional charges will be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Sunday, deputies released a photo of the suspect, and said he is currently at large and believed to be armed and dangerous.
“While it is not this agency’s normal practice to release the name or likeness of a juvenile suspect, the danger to the community and the need to safely take [the suspect] into custody makes this release necessary,” Gloucester County Sheriff's Office officials said.
On Monday, Gloucester Country Sheriff's Office says they have captured footage of multiple individuals recording the incidents from that night.
They are asking for anyone with videos of the events to come forward with information, and that they may do so anonymously. If you have any information on where Winnington is, or about this incident, contact the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office at (804) 693-3890 or call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash award if their information leads to an arrest. Callers may reference case number 2023-00001.
Meantime, Heywood’s family is holding out hope that deputies catch the dangerous fugitive.
“We just pray to God that he turns himself in,” said Heywood’s aunt Denise.
Heywood’s family said he was a manager at Village Landscape. The company has started a Go Fund Me to help the family with funeral expenses. To donate, click here.
This remains an ongoing investigation.
We will update this article with more details from the victim's family as we learn more.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
