Tyler Deshayne Heyward has been sentenced to life in prison for the November 2023 shooting death of Wesley Francis, a server at the Tempest and co-founder of a pop-up restaurant, Charleston County authorities reported.
Judge Jennifer McCoy issued the life sentence, noting the urgency of keeping Heyward off the streets permanently. Solicitor Scarlett Wilson highlighted the patience and support of Francis’ family throughout the trial, which she and Assistant Solicitor Daniel Cooper prosecuted.
Mental evaluations revealed Heyward has a history of mental illness and several hospitalizations. Prosecutors noted that his condition worsened as he self-medicated with marijuana. Wilson explained that chronic marijuana use can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia in young people, though this did not excuse the danger he posed.
Charleston police determined the killing was random. Surveillance footage showed Francis being shot around 5 a.m. on November 10, 2023, at the Circle K at Meeting and Calhoun Streets. Heyward reportedly exited a Nissan Altima, approached Francis without confrontation, and fired 18 rounds, hitting him 16 times.
Investigators connected Heyward to the shooting through video evidence and the Altima, which belonged to his girlfriend’s mother. License plate readers traced the car to a home in Hollywood, where officers found the murder weapon in Heyward’s bag, with his DNA on the gun. Additional footage confirmed Heyward was wearing the same clothing as the shooter.
Assistant Solicitor Cooper credited Detective Michael Galka and Charleston police for meticulous surveillance review and forensic work, ensuring sufficient evidence to secure Heyward’s conviction.
