GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — Ryan Woodruff has been found guilty in the shooting death of 19-year-old Ty’quez De’Metrius Walker, bringing another major criminal case against Woodruff to a close.
A jury convicted Woodruff of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with Walker’s death.
For the murder conviction, Woodruff was sentenced to life in prison. He received an additional five-year sentence for possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The convictions add another life sentence to Woodruff’s already lengthy prison term.
Walker Was Killed in January 2023
Walker was fatally shot in January 2023 at a residence on Meadow Street, according to previous reporting on the case.
Prosecutors alleged that Walker had gone to Woodruff’s home, which was reportedly being operated as an unlicensed tattoo parlor, before the confrontation that ended in the teenager’s death.
According to the prosecution’s account reported during the case, Woodruff became suspicious of Walker’s behavior and retrieved a firearm before shooting him.
Investigators also presented evidence concerning Woodruff’s location at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors reportedly relied in part on GPS ankle-monitor data that placed Woodruff at the scene.
Walker Had a Weapon, Prosecutors Said
Evidence presented in the case also addressed a firearm found in Walker’s possession.
According to reporting on the prosecution’s case, Walker had a pistol in his waistband, but prosecutors argued that the weapon was never drawn during the encounter.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were ultimately considered by the jury in reaching the murder verdict.
Woodruff Was Already Facing Two Life Sentences
The Walker case was not Woodruff’s only major criminal case.
Before the shooting, Woodruff had been charged in connection with the 2021 deaths of his aunt and uncle, Roger Woodruff and Debra Goins.
Roger Woodruff, 63, and Debra Goins, 62, were found dead inside the mobile home they shared on Graham Lane. Earlier reporting stated that prosecutors accused Woodruff of beating the pair to death with a hammer and crowbar.
Woodruff was later convicted in those killings and received two consecutive life sentences.
Shooting Occurred While Woodruff Was Out on Bond
One significant aspect of the Walker case is that Woodruff was reportedly out on bond in connection with the 2021 killings when Walker was shot.
According to earlier reporting, Woodruff had been arrested in connection with the deaths of his aunt and uncle and was granted a $100,000 bond. After being released, he allegedly shot Walker in January 2023.
The Walker murder was not presented to the jury during Woodruff’s later trial for the deaths of his aunt and uncle, according to reporting from that proceeding.
Multiple Cases, Multiple Life Sentences
Woodruff now faces another life sentence following his conviction for Walker’s murder.
His criminal cases have involved the deaths of three people across separate incidents: his aunt Debra Goins, his uncle Roger Woodruff, and 19-year-old Ty’quez Walker.
The latest conviction means Woodruff’s already lengthy prison sentence will be followed by another life term for Walker’s killing, along with the five-year sentence attached to the weapons conviction.
The verdict represents the conclusion of the criminal proceedings concerning Walker’s death, although additional court proceedings can still occur as part of the post-conviction process.
This is a developing story. Additional details about the verdict and sentencing will be added as they become available.
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