Hazlehurst family marks 1 year since gas station shooting killed young father, Continues pushing for justice

HAZLEHURST, Ga. (WTOC) - A young father in Hazlehurst died before he ever got to meet his daughter...Now his family is pushing for justice exactly one year after his death.

Gary Ryals was shot and killed outside a gas station in Hazlehurst.

It’s been 365 days since Gary Ryals’ family says they’ve had peace.

“They took his life selfishly for no reason,” said Ryals’ sister Kassidy.

The 19-year-old was shot and killed outside this gas station in Jeff Davis County. Police say at the hands of 21-year-old Ronald Dykes.

Dykes was granted bond 2 days after the GBI arrested and charged him with voluntary manslaughter.

“Having to go into a public store, not knowing if you’ll see or face your brother’s murderer is very heartbreaking,” said Kassidy Ryals, Gary’s sister.

Ryals’ family says in the year that’s passed, time hasn’t made things easier.

At the time of his death, Ryals’ fiancée was pregnant with their baby girl, Heavenlynn, who was born 6 months after his life was taken.

“It’s just very heartbreaking that he wasn’t here to find out it’s a girl, and he doesn’t get to watch her grow up, but we’ll never forget or let her forget who her daddy is,” said Kassidy. “We’ll always remind her who he is and show pictures.”

He also leaves behind two little boys, also now without their father. The holidays, she says, are completely different now.

“This past Christmas was our first Christmas without him,” said Kassidy. “His birthday was December 20th. So not only did we have to celebrate Christmas without him, but he missed his 20th birthday.”

The family says the GBI is still waiting on results from the crime lab before the case can go to the grand jury.

“It’s very important to me. I never want his name to die or his memory,” said Kassidy.

The family also believes law enforcement should be charging others who were at the scene that day at a minimum, with party to a crime.

We’ll continue to follow any updates in this case.