The quiet village of Cotton Tree was thrust into turmoil last Friday night when a single gunshot echoed through the community, striking 32-year-old Ryan Hyde in the head. Despite being rushed first to the Western Regional Hospital and then transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for specialized care, Hyde succumbed to his injuries on Monday night, leaving his family shattered and searching for answers. Hyde’s sister, Christie Bonell, expressed the family’s anguish, recounting how they had hoped for his recovery but were devastated by his sudden passing. The tragedy is compounded by the family’s history of loss, with several relatives previously killed in gang-related violence. Bonell believes her brother was targeted due to the stigma associated with their last name, Hyde, which she says has been unfairly linked to crime and violence. Amid their grief, the family is left to console Hyde’s wife and two young sons, who now face life without their father. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the family awaits the results of the post-mortem to proceed with funeral arrangements. The community mourns the loss of a man described as jovial, loving, and deeply committed to his family.