Shivangi Sinha
In October 2023, Tymeir Hale-Dial was assisting his mother with moving into a new home in Cleveland, Ohio, when police were called to the residence following reports of gunfire. Tymeir had been shot several times, and despite emergency response efforts, did not survive his injuries. His 1-year-old daughter was also present at the scene but was found unharmed. Investigators quickly identified a suspect, and the discovery of who was responsible came as a shock to those involved in the case. The events surrounding the shooting, the investigation that followed, and how authorities ultimately brought the perpetrator to justice are examined in the Investigation Discovery episode ‘American Monster: My Brother’s Keeper.’
Tymeir Hale-Dial Was Shot Outside His Mother’s New Residence
Tymeir Hale-Dial was born on January 4, 2000, to his mother, Pinky Hale, who often described him as her closest companion. She said he carried a natural warmth and radiance that drew people to him and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Those who knew Tymeir quickly grew fond of him, as he showed the same care and affection to friends and family alike. He maintained strong, positive relationships with his parents and siblings, staying closely connected to those he loved. In 2022, when he became a father to a baby girl, his life took on new meaning. From that moment on, his daughter became the center of his world. Tymeir was deeply involved in her upbringing, consistently present and devoted, doing everything he could to provide her with a secure and loving environment.
To those around him, he embodied the qualities of an exceptional and devoted father. By 2023, Tymeir was working as a security officer with Breakthrough Public Schools in the Glenville community. He had established his own home in the Forest Hills neighborhood and was steadily building a stable life for himself and his daughter. On October 3, 2023, his mother, Pinky Hale, was in the process of moving to a new residence on East 127th Street in Cleveland, and Tymeir was there to help her with the move. His young daughter was also present that day and was being held safely in her grandmother’s arms when the shooting occurred outside the home. Tymeir was struck multiple times, sustaining gunshot wounds to his upper back, chest, and head. He collapsed at the scene and died before he could receive medical assistance.
Tymeir Hale-Dial’s Killer Had Pulled Out His Gun After a Small Disagreement
The first person the police interviewed was Pinky Hale, who witnessed the shooting firsthand. She told investigators that the shooter was her other son and Tymeir’s half-brother, Rodney Curlee Jr., who had also been helping her move that day. According to Pinky, an argument broke out between the two men outside the house. During the confrontation, Rodney pulled out a gun and began shooting Tymeir. She said Tymeir pleaded for his life as the shots were fired. Pinky feared that Rodney might also shoot her and her granddaughter, who was nearby, but believed the attack stopped because he appeared to run out of bullets. She emphasized that the argument was not a major fight and that there had been no prior prolonged hostility.
An arrest warrant was issued in Rodney’s name just one day after the homicide. Despite efforts by law enforcement, he could not immediately be located, and Pinky told investigators that she did not know where he had gone following the shooting. For several weeks, Rodney remained at large. On November 15, 2023, police finally tracked him to a residence near the 1800 block of Reyburn Road in Cleveland. Officers discovered that he was hiding in the basement of the home and initially refused to respond when they ordered him to come out. After repeated attempts to make contact, police warned him that K-9 officers were present and would be deployed if necessary. Following this warning, Rodney surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
Rodney Curlee Jr. is Serving Time Behind Bars in Ohio Today
In April 2024, Rodney Curlee Jr. entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and aggravated menacing. The court sentenced him to a total of 23 years in prison. He is currently incarcerated at the Warren County Correctional Center in Lebanon, Ohio. Now 22 years old, Curlee will not be eligible for parole until 2046.
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