Crime
15-Year-Old Bryce Tate Ended His Own Life Following Sextortion
The life of Bryce Tate, a healthy, well-adjusted 15-year-old high school student and athlete with a robust social circle, was tragically cut short on November 6th.
His death by suicide was completely unexpected, leaving his devoted parents and community in a state of profound shock and despair, struggling to understand the sudden and inexplicable turn of events.
In the agonizing search for answers, local law enforcement seized Bryce’s cell phone.
The subsequent investigation provided the devastating and previously unknown context for his suicide.
On the following Tuesday, Bryce’s parents were called to the police station and informed that their son had been a victim of sextortion—a term they were unfamiliar with.
Police detailed the mechanism of the crime:
Bryce was initially contacted by an individual posing as a 17-year-old girl.
The perpetrator used personal details, such as Bryce’s school affiliation and other life facts, to establish a compelling and authentic-seeming rapport.
The seemingly friendly exchange quickly escalated into a sexual conversation.
The perpetrator initiated the exchange of explicit material by sending X-rated photos and soliciting similar images from Bryce, who complied.
Immediately after Bryce sent the photos, the interaction shifted to a criminal demand.
The individual issued a monetary ultimatum: send $500 or the explicit photos would be disseminated to his family, friends, school network, and posted publicly on social media platforms.
The relentless threats and shaming inflicted upon Bryce led him to a state of complete helplessness and fear, convinced his reputation and future were irreversibly ruined.
Within a mere couple of hours of the initial demand, the psychological manipulation tragically resulted in Bryce taking his own life.
In the face of their immeasurable loss, Bryce’s family has bravely chosen to share his story.
Their request is a crucial appeal to the public: to raise immediate and widespread awareness of the severe danger of sextortion.
They emphasize the vital need for parents, educators, and community members to understand this form of online predatory behavior and to proactively educate young people about its risks, helping to prevent other students from becoming victims of this devastating crime.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.