A Young Woman Was Lured to a Party, Abducted and Killed — Now a Second Suspect Has Pleaded Guilty

A Tennessee man has pleaded guilty in connection with the 2022 killing of 22-year-old Mya Fuller, who was lured to a party, beaten, stuffed into a car trunk, and later shot to death.

According to WTVF, Fuller was found fatally shot seven times and left in an abandoned lot in a remote area of Wilson County. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Ty’Shawne Bowles pleaded guilty to facilitation of especially aggravated kidnapping and received a 12-year prison sentence. Prosecutors said Bowles became involved after learning about a dispute between his sister, Taiyana Tipton, and Fuller.

A news release from the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference stated that Tipton had argued with Fuller the night before the murder. Tipton then identified Fuller to Bowles, who contacted the victim on social media and invited her to a party that same night. When Fuller arrived after work, an argument escalated into a physical fight between the two women.

At the end of the altercation, Tipton allegedly forced Fuller into the trunk of her car and drove to Wilson County, where she shot her seven times, according to the release.

WKRN reported that Bowles admitted to witnessing the initial fight and hearing Tipton say, “pop the trunk,” though he denied seeing Fuller placed into the vehicle. He also claimed he followed his sister’s car until she drove out of sight.

In May, Tipton pleaded guilty to all charges related to Fuller’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

During Bowles’ sentencing hearing, Fuller’s mother, Tonya Fuller, spoke out against the 12-year sentence, saying, “Mya was murdered, she was beaten, and was tossed just like trash. For a year and a half, the defense did nothing. Silence. Quiet. Cowards. Today, we stand here with life for the defendants, and my daughter — genius, smart, kind, has never done anything to anybody — and we stay here under justice. Justice has chosen this is the right path for the defendant.”

District Attorney Jason Lawson acknowledged Bowles’ limited role in the crime, telling WTVF, “Sometimes in criminal cases people have different levels of involvement and responsibility. Today’s plea reflects the level of involvement that Ty’Shawne Bowles had in this case. He invited her there, and so he has responsibility, but the evidence does not show he intended or participated in her death.”

A third suspect, La’Myra Pipkins, has also been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the perpetration of a kidnapping, according to WSMV. Her trial is scheduled for November.