Police Quell False Rumors Over Murder Of Popular Philly Dirt Biker
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Recent online chatter about the murder of a popular dirt biker in Southwest Philadelphia on Tuesday is raising questions over whether police were involved in the shooting.
23-year-old Kyrell Tyler -- aka "Dirt Bike Rell" -- is known all along the East Coast for his daring stunts on both city streets, as well as in the arena.
But on Tuesday at 1:30 pm, police say they found Tyler at 60th and Kingsessing Streets with multiple gun shot wounds, sparking chatter among his tens of thousands of Instagram followers.
"One or two individuals -- they started a rumor on social media, saying this was a police shooting, which it was not," says Lt. John Stanford, spokesman for the Philadelphia police department.
He says police found Tyler slumped over in a black Chevy with gun shot wounds to the head, neck and torso:
"Our homicide unit is doing everything that it can to try to determine what actually happened."
Lt. Stanford says police have a standing $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Meanwhile, the so-called "bike life community" is reeling, with thousands of #RIP comments on Instagram.
"He did not deserve this...nobody does," says Mark Robinson -- aka "Truss Sundz" -- who met Tyler two years ago and called him a friend. "His potential was a high place. He was on the verge of greatness. He was a legend."
Robinson says videos of "Dirt Bike Rell" doing stunts made him exceptionally popular on social media. He ran with a crew known as the "Hot Boyz" but "Rell" stood out.
"He was on the verge of being the best or one of the best riders that has ever done the street bike tricks," says Robinson. "He was able to go to events and ride for the motor cross world. He was on the cusp of being able to be a legitimate professional."
Robinson is working on a documentary, "Ride 2 the Death," about Philadelphia's dirt bike and ATV culture and the effort to make it a legitimate sport. He says "Dirt Bike Rell" will be featured in the film:
"I hope somebody comes forward."
Tyler leaves behind a two-year-old son. Robinson says biker lifers will meet Thursday at 48th and Westminster to remember him.
