Fear Thy Neighbor – Episode: The Gospel

Release Date: June 30, 2025
Host/Author: ID
Podcast Description: Fear Thy Neighbor delves into startling true stories of neighbors gone wrong, featuring firsthand accounts from victims, their families, and the community. With real 911 calls and surveillance footage, each episode explores how minor disputes can escalate into living nightmares with tragic consequences.

1. Setting the Scene: Lauraville, Baltimore (00:00 – 08:16)

The episode opens in the tree-lined Lauraville neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, a place cherished for its tight-knit community and deep familial roots. Residents like Kristen Lewis and Shea Brown describe Lauraville as "special" and "unique," emphasizing the friendly and quiet nature of the area.

Notable Quotes:

• Shea Brown (04:10): “I do consider Lauraville to be special and unique. The people there make it special.”
• Tyra Womack (04:33): “It's a perfectly nice neighborhood and it's very quiet, nonviolent. I've been here since I was born and I really don't want to live anywhere else.”

2. Introducing the Key Players (05:01 – 07:46)

Tyra Womack is introduced as a beloved Christian gospel radio host and single mother living with her son, Jerrell Womack, on Albion Avenue. Her charismatic presence and uplifting messages make her a pillar of the community.

Richard Greene and his partner, Shelley Arrington, are introduced as long-time neighbors. Richard is a contractor known for his handyman skills, while Shelley works for the city of Baltimore. Initially, both are well-regarded within the neighborhood.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Darrah (05:12): “Tyra is locally known as a really beloved gospel radio host.”
• Shea Brown (04:52): “Tyra's personality is very unique and special. Tyra is just a beautiful person inside and out.”

3. The Seeds of Conflict: Parking Disputes (08:16 – 10:17)

The harmony in Lauraville begins to fray over common city issues, particularly challenging street parking. Richard’s pride in his prized Cadillac leads him to become increasingly frustrated with the limited parking space, especially with neighbors like Tyra who have multiple vehicles.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Darrah (08:34): “Anyone who knows Baltimore knows that street parking can be tough.”
• Richard Greene (09:02): “Haven't you noticed the parking situation getting out of hand around here? Or is it just me?”

4. Escalation of Tensions (10:17 – 17:48)

Richard’s persistent complaints and actions, such as ticketing Tyra’s car, exacerbate tensions. Tyra approaches conflicts with kindness, but Richard’s behavior becomes increasingly antagonistic. Attempts by neighbors to mediate fail, leading Richard to adopt a more confrontational stance. Richard begins spreading slander and creating distrust among other neighbors, isolating Tyra and Jerrell.

Notable Quotes:

• Jerrell Womack (09:47): “Listen, Richard, there was an issue. I fixed it. Let's not make this a big thing.”
• Shea Brown (10:00): “Richard's parking complaints were exaggerated.”
• Tyra Womack (15:35): “He’s getting out of control.”

5. The Breaking Point: June 10, 2020 (17:48 – 34:27)

On the evening of June 10, 2020, the conflict reaches its zenith. Richard confronts Tyra and Jerrell over parking once more, this time escalating to the point where he pulls a gun. In the ensuing chaos, Tyra is shot twice while protecting her son, Jerrell, who manages to escape unharmed. The neighborhood witnesses the horrifying event, and Richard flees the scene.

Notable Quotes:

• Shea Brown (24:10): “I believe that one day, Tyra was in her home and she heard Richard outside in the backyard, shooting, firing a gun. She was terrified.”
• Tyra Womack (30:31): “I don't think Ms. Tyra thought that it would escalate to Richard pulling a gun on them.”

6. Aftermath and Manhunt (34:27 – 38:18)

News of Tyra’s tragic death spreads quickly, igniting a multi-day manhunt for Richard Greene. Community members express fear and anxiety, reinforcing the episode’s theme of how neighborly disputes can spiral into violence. Richard is eventually apprehended but is repeatedly deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial, leading to ongoing legal battles.

Notable Quotes:

• Kristen Lewis (35:34): “The manhunt was the scariest part. I remember I called out of work. We all stayed inside.”
• Shea Brown (36:42): “He was like a total different person. Not verbal, just like quiet as a mouse.”

7. Community Impact and Reflections (38:18 – 40:31)

The Lauraville community grapples with the loss of Tyra and the lingering presence of fear. Jerrell moves out to escape the trauma, while others reflect on the fragility of their previously peaceful lives. The neighborhood must now live with the void left by Tyra’s absence and the enduring scars of the violent incident.

Notable Quotes:

• Tyra Womack (39:14): “I would describe this tragedy as traumatic as life changing. It just shouldn't have happened.”
• Shea Brown (40:25): “The neighborhood is peaceful again, but there's a void.”

8. Conclusion: A Legacy and Lingering Pain (40:31 – End)

The episode concludes by honoring Tyra’s legacy as a dedicated mother and beloved radio host. While Lauraville begins to find a semblance of peace, the memory of the tragic events on Albion Avenue remains a poignant reminder of how quickly trust and harmony can dissolve into fear and sorrow.

Notable Quotes:

• Jerrell Womack (40:25): “Blessed are the peacemakers. There's an emptiness and blessed are they that mourn.”
• Tyra Womack (40:22): “She left a legacy. Her work will speak for her.”

Insights and Themes

• Escalation of Minor Disputes: The episode illustrates how small, everyday disagreements can escalate into fatal conflicts when not addressed constructively.
• Impact of Mental Health: Richard Greene’s instability and eventual mental incompetency highlight the role mental health can play in community safety.
• Community Solidarity vs. Division: As Richard sows discord, the community is faced with challenges to their unity, ultimately rallying against his antagonism.
• Tragic Loss and Legacy: Tyra Womack’s unwavering kindness and tragic end serve as a powerful narrative on the fragility of peace and the enduring impact of loss.

Final Thoughts

The Gospel episode of Fear Thy Neighbor poignantly captures the descent of a peaceful neighborhood into chaos due to unresolved conflicts and personal instability. Through detailed storytelling and emotional firsthand accounts, the podcast underscores the importance of community harmony and the devastating effects when it is disrupted.