Teen sentenced for murdering 15-year-old with stolen gun

JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ)- A sentencing Thursday in Jessamine County shows the impact gun violence has had on young people in the community. Tyler Jeffers, 18, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for the murder of 15-year-old Leo Travers.

In January 2017, Tyler Jeffers killed Leo Travers in what police describe as a drug deal. Now, comes a conclusion, for some, a sentencing Leo Travers’ father calls incidental.

After the proceedings came emotional moments for Travers’ family. His dad says this closes one chapter.

“It’s the loss of my child, and that won’t end and his family will continue to suffer,” Travers said.

Robert Travers says his son, Leo, was charismatic, loving, and forgiving. He was a fan of baseball, fishing, and family. Jeffers’ sentence will never be enough to make up for the holidays, the future, and the possibilities that were taken away in seconds.

“I would never be satisfied with that. It’s the loss of my child. A child with such promise,” Travers said.

Jeffers apologized in court. His attorney says Jeffers will pursue his GED and job training while locked up.

“Our heart goes out to the Travers family. They lost their son. He can’t be replaced, but Tyler’s also going to lose a large portion of his life. He’s going to try to make the most of this,” Bradley Clark, Jeffers’ attorney said.

The gun Jeffers used was stolen. Travers’ dad says stolen or not, there is a problem.

“We see everything is just common. It was just accepted. San Antonio. Las Vegas. My child. Just accepted,” Clark said.

“It’s just horrible what we’ve seen happen with gun violence and I just wish none of this had ever happened and I know Tyler does too,” Clark said.

After three years, Jeffers could have his first parole hearing, but his attorney tells ABC 36 he expects him to be locked up a lot longer than that.