The Gospel

Summary

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.

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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.”

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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.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Richard Greene]

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[Narrator]

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[Kristen Lewis]

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[Michael Darrah]

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[Kristen Lewis]

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[Tyra Womack]

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[Michael Darrah]

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[Kristen Lewis]

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[Michael Darrah]

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[Kristen Lewis]

Acast.com.

[Narrator]

Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters, crimes of passion, or clashes among underworld figures. Yet some of the most shocking and deadly conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods. Their seemingly minor quibbles escalate until violence erupts and it impacts an entire community. What makes a good neighbor go bad? We may never truly know, but heed this warning about the terrible things that can happen when even the pettiest disagreements pass the point of no return and good neighbors become worst enemies. How can you sleep at night when the person you fear or hate the most lives right next door? We're inside a peaceful neighborhood nestled inside Baltimore. It's the type of community where residents familial roots run deep. Among the area's noted residents is a beloved Christian gospel radio host who has chosen the neighborhood as the perfect place to raise her son. As a single mom sharing a wall of their semi detached home with a Navy veteran and his wife, this harmonious neighborhood seems heaven sent. But they soon find out that even paradise can be tainted with perceived sin. One neighbor just can't let go of the feeling that they have their own personal devil right next door. With both parties prayers for salvation left unanswered, the tensions on the once peaceful street crescendo into rapture where one neighbor's retribution will be biblical. This is fear thy neighbor. The gospel today's story takes us back to 2020 and the bustling harborside city of Baltimore, Maryland. Specifically, we're in a tree lined neighborhood called Lauraville. It's a neighborhood much beloved by residents like Kristen Lewis and Gina Wick Baltimore.

[Kristen Lewis]

I've been here all my life. I think we have a pretty awesome culture.

[Tyra Womack]

Baltimore is like, I would describe it as a mecca of everything. We have great food here, amazing food here.

[Narrator]

Residents throughout the area cherish their tight knit community. Here's Lauraville resident Shea Brown to explain what makes the neighborhood so special.

[Shea Brown]

I do consider Lauraville to be special and unique. The people there make it special. I've been there since 1970. People are friendly. It's a very quiet neighborhood.

[Narrator]

To many familiar, Lauraville breaks the mold of how outsiders typically view Baltimore at large.

[Kristen Lewis]

It's one of the better areas of Baltimore, and I think that's because everybody knows everybody. A lot of family members have passed their houses down to the next generation or to somebody in the family. So everybody takes good care of the area.

[Tyra Womack]

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.

[Narrator]

And for decades, Albion Avenue has been called home by one notable resident, Ms. Tyra Womack.

[Shea Brown]

Tyra's personality is very unique and special. Tyra is just a beautiful person inside and out. When she smiles, she just lights up a room.

[Narrator]

While Tyra's personality and warmth make her a standout in the community, she's most famous for something else. Here's Michael Darrah, a journalist familiar with the story to explain.

[Michael Darrah]

Tyra is locally known as a really beloved gospel radio host. She would announce updates from the church community, play gospel's greatest hits, and tell uplifting messages.

[Narrator]

Since she began hosting duties in 1989, many of Tyra's friends and neighbors have been listeners and big fans. In fact, her voice is somewhat of a fixture within the community.

[Tyra Womack]

Tara was very well known because Tara was a radio personality for Gospel grace for about 30 years. I'm in my 30s, so basically my whole life. And I would hear Tara every Sunday.

[Jerrell Womack]

And the teachings of Jesus that I'll be focusing on today is from the gospel of Matthew.

[Tyra Womack]

It was like I knew a famous person.

[Jerrell Womack]

Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

[Kristen Lewis]

Tyra was very well known on the radio. So much so that even when people like I used to catch ubers and things and people would say when they dropped me off, isn't this where Tyra lives? So our neighborhood became pretty famous. A lot of people in the city looked up to her and like to listen to her show.

[Jerrell Womack]

Welcome back to the show, folks. With me, your host, Tyra Womack.

[Shea Brown]

She's a one in a million. I consider her to be an angel.

[Narrator]

In disguise and in true Christian fashion. One of her messages is especially pertinent within the close community.

[Jerrell Womack]

Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.

[Narrator]

When she's not busy djing the good word over the airwaves or with her day job at the local post office, Tyra is committed to raising her son Jerrell. As a single mother, Jerrell got along with everyone.

[Shea Brown]

He's a fine young man, didn't cause any problems. You could tell that Tyra raised him well.

[Kristen Lewis]

He was a good kid, though, very like, well behaved, well mannered.

[Tyra Womack]

Tara was a great mother. She was very close to her son.

[Kristen Lewis]

If her son needed anything, she was there.

[Narrator]

And just like his mother, Jerrel shares a love of music.

[Tyra Womack]

He was creative. I could hear him rapping sometimes. That was really because I'm into music too, so.

[Narrator]

Jerrel is a dedicated student at Frostburg University. Growing up on Albion Avenue, he is a familiar face to many in the area. Like Kristen Lewis.

[Kristen Lewis]

He played outside with everybody when we were kids. Kind of stayed to himself sometimes, but very friendly and approachable.

[Narrator]

Two more fixtures in this idyllic neighborhood are Tyra and Jerrell's neighbors, Richard Greene and his partner, Shelley Arrington.

[Kristen Lewis]

Richard and his partner have been there as long as I can remember.

[Narrator]

Richard is a contractor mainly focusing on renovation work, while Shelley is employed by the city of Baltimore. And they share a particularly close relationship with Tyra and Jerrel. Not only are they next door neighbors, they also share a wall between their semi detached homes.

[Michael Darrah]

Richard was known as a bit of a guy's guy in the neighborhood as well as being a handyman. So he was great to have around.

[Narrator]

For many years, life in Loraville has seemed like heaven on earth. But a common frustration, one which many of us deal with daily, begins the downward spiral for these neighbors.

[Michael Darrah]

Anyone who knows Baltimore knows that street parking can be tough.

[Narrator]

And Lauraville is no exception to suffering the parking problems of the city at large. In fact, according to residents, it might even be worse.

[Kristen Lewis]

Our block is just. It's not great for parking. It's a small street, you know, it's kind of hard if they have more than one car, especially to have parking.

[Narrator]

And this annoyance doesn't bode well for Richard Green's pride and joy, his prized Cadillac.

[Michael Darrah]

It could be that Richard cared so much about his car that he didn't want any other cars getting close to it.

[Narrator]

And being neighbors, other cars usually mean one from Tyra's household.

[Kristen Lewis]

I know at one point that Ms. Tyra, they had two cars. So I can imagine, like maybe he needed a little more room.

[Michael Darrah]

You've come back from a long day at work and you can't park near your home. I could see why that might be frustrating.

[Narrator]

It's not out of the ordinary for Tyra to carefully repark her car under Richard's watchful eye. And while the hypervigilance might be a bit irritating, Tyra takes it all in stride.

[Kristen Lewis]

I don't think his complaints were warranted.

[Tyra Womack]

I would absolutely say that Tyra approached conflict with kindness and forgiveness.

[Jerrell Womack]

Listen, Richard, there was an issue. I fixed it. Let's not make this a big thing.

[Richard Greene]

That's easy for you to say. I gotta deal with this every day.

[Shea Brown]

Richard's parking complaints were exaggerated.

[Kristen Lewis]

Ms. Tyra was so approachable that I believe he could have said, hey, do you mind scooting up a little bit so I can get a space?

[Narrator]

Despite many neighbors agreeing, Richard's parking woes are a bit blown out of proportion. It appears to be a constant thorn in his side.

[Richard Greene]

Haven't you noticed the parking situation getting out of hand around here? Or is it just me?

[Shea Brown]

I don't want to hear another word about it. This is date night and your queen should be the only thing on your mind.

[Richard Greene]

What's that? You hear that?

[Shea Brown]

Just ignore it.

[Narrator]

Tyra has left her vehicle idling on the street.

[Michael Darrah]

In Baltimore, it's actually illegal to leave your car running unattended.

[Shea Brown]

Hon, come on now. It's nothing. Don't let it get to you.

[Narrator]

When Tyra returns to her car, she finds a parking enforcement officer writing up a ticket.

[Tyra Womack]

I did hear about neighbors cars getting ticketed.

[Narrator]

While she can't prove it, Tyra suspects Richard is the one responsible for reporting her vehicle.

[Shea Brown]

I think if a car is parked and not moved, he would call Baltimore city and say that the car was abandoned.

[Narrator]

While it may seem like a small battle, seeds are being planted that will soon bloom into an all out war.

[Michael Darrah]

It's honestly really difficult to imagine anyone not liking Tyra or j' Rell. But Richard, for whatever reason, really took issue with them.

[Tyra Womack]

But I do think that she could have had a feisty side to her too. You kind of have to living in this city.

[Michael Darrah]

If you keep pushing someone, eventually they might push back.

[Narrator]

A new gospel is spreading around the once peaceful community of Lauraville. One of anger and rising tension.

[Shelley Arrington]

This summer, Instacart is bringing back your favorites from 1999. With prices from 1999, that means 90s prices on juice pouches that ought to be respected. 90s prices on box Mac and cheese and 90s prices on ham, cheese and cracker lunches. Enjoy all those throwbacks and more at throwback prices only through Instacart. $4.72. Maximum discount per $10 of eligible items. Limit one offer per order. Expires September 5, while suppl discount based on CPI comparison.

[Narrator]

As tensions continue to rise over seemingly minor issues, Jerrell begins to worry about his mother's safety.

[Kristen Lewis]

Jerrell became very frustrated. He felt that his mother wasn't being respected. He felt his mother was in danger.

[Shea Brown]

Davis would avoid Richard because they didn't want confrontation. They didn't want conflicts because the neighborhood has been very peaceful.

[Narrator]

Despite the issues with his neighbor, Jerrell still tries to live his best life. Just like his social butterfly mother, Jerrell loves chatting and listening to music, mostly with neighbor and friend Kristen Lewis.

[Tyra Womack]

Jerrel would play hip hop. So I remember I could hear from the house very clearly in the bathroom, and I could hear Jerrell.

[Narrator]

But not everyone wants to hear music from next door bleeding into their home. What might be one man's anthem is another man's anathema.

[Tyra Womack]

I'm pretty sure Richard could hear from his house because sometimes I could hear Jerrel from my house.

[Narrator]

Remember, Richard's house shares a wall with Tyra and Jerrell's. It's not a far stretch to assume that he can hear Jerrell's music.

[Richard Greene]

Turn it down.

[Narrator]

Albion Avenue was once nirvana, but for Richard Greene, it's turning into purgatory. Still, his partner, Shelly, tries as hard as she can to calm Richard down.

[Richard Greene]

I told you, them people next door are no good.

[Tyra Womack]

Come on, now.

[Shea Brown]

I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

[Tyra Womack]

I do think Richard's partner wanted to resolve everything, but I don't think she knew how.

[Narrator]

And he's about to receive news that will exacerbate his already growing grievances.

[Richard Greene]

Hold on. My insurance company calling. Hello? What do you mean you can't be serious?

[Shea Brown]

All right.

[Richard Greene]

Thanks for nothing.

[Jerrell Womack]

What's wrong?

[Narrator]

According to neighbors, Richard's accusation against Tyra and Jerrel for damaging his car has already been dismissed due to lack of evidence.

[Shea Brown]

Apparently, an adjuster came out, didn't see any damages. It was a ridiculous. And I don't think that it ever went anywhere.

[Michael Darrah]

It's possible that he was feeling isolated and like everyone was against him.

[Shea Brown]

I wouldn't say that Richard is out of control. I would say that Richard enjoys being in control.

[Michael Darrah]

It must have been really frightening and stressful to be living next to someone who creates that much tension.

[Narrator]

Residents on the street contend things only continue to get worse with Richard's confrontations. And what's worse, they seem targeted.

[Shea Brown]

I don't recall him avoiding interactions with women. What I recall is Richard bullying women. I do believe Richard was a misogynist.

[Kristen Lewis]

I believe he targeted Tyra and Jarreau.

[Tyra Womack]

I absolutely think Richard took Ms. Tyra's kindness as weakness.

[Shea Brown]

Richard always believed that he was right and everyone else was wrong.

[Narrator]

As disharmony with her neighbor continues, Tyra confides in a longtime friend about her issues.

[Jerrell Womack]

Some of the things he's been calling me are unrepeatable.

[Richard Greene]

And you see, when he shouts, he looks pure evil. You know what? I think I've heard just about enough.

[Narrator]

And it's time to pay the sweatshirt diet visit.

[Michael Darrah]

Tyra's friend felt Richard was picking on a single mom.

[Narrator]

And so Tyra's friend decides to take things into his own hands and give Richard a piece of his mind.

[Shea Brown]

He knocked on Richard's door and asked him to come out. He wanted to speak to him about how he was being disrespectful.

[Kristen Lewis]

I believe that Richard wouldn't stand up to a man like he would to.

[Richard Greene]

A woman picking on a single woman. What's wrong with you?

[Shea Brown]

I believe that Richard wasn't used to getting a taste of his own medicine. I believe Richard was afraid of the gentleman. And I also believe it was another opportunity for Richard to call the police because that's what Richard enjoyed doing.

[Narrator]

According to multiple neighbors, Richard calls the police and states he's being threatened by Tyra's friend.

[Shea Brown]

I don't believe that Tyra's friend should have been arrested. He invited him out just to talk to him like a man. Man to man, Richard, you're the one.

[Jerrell Womack]

That needs locking up.

[Michael Darrah]

At that point, you're going to feel powerless and scared.

[Narrator]

Despite all the tension in her personal life, the much adored radio host remains professional in the booth.

[Jerrell Womack]

Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

[Narrator]

But at home, Tyra and Jerrell see no way of escaping their neighbor.

[Shea Brown]

Tyra was fearful of the unknown, of what Richard was capable of doing.

[Kristen Lewis]

I'm sure Jerrell became very frustrated at Richard. Jerrell was very close to his mother. He felt his mother was in danger. He felt that his mother wasn't being respected. I think over time, anybody would be frustrated by that.

[Narrator]

Richard's neighbors rally around Tyra. It seems it's him Versus all of Albion Avenue.

[Michael Darrah]

Richard might have felt this us against them mentality.

[Kristen Lewis]

I know that there were times where one neighbor would go over and talk with her, usually when Richard wasn't around. So I can guess. Some of those conversations might have been, you know, just letting her know the things that he was doing.

[Narrator]

One such friend is Tracy. She's become horrified with the way her friend has been treated and decides to pay Richard and Shelly a visit. But Richard makes it abundantly clear he has no interest in talking to her.

[Richard Greene]

Hey, you're just one of Tyra's cronies. Get out of my house.

[Shea Brown]

In my opinion, he wanted everybody else to get in trouble. Richard would do stuff that he wasn't supposed to do.

[Narrator]

A few hours later, she suddenly finds law enforcement knocking on her door, apparently due to a tip off that she's in possession of an illegal firearm she allegedly uses to threaten people.

[Shea Brown]

The neighbor's home was searched. No gun was ever found. But they did arrest her, and she ended up going to central booking.

[Michael Darrah]

The thing with neighbor disputes is that they can be incredibly difficult to deal with for police.

[Narrator]

Tracy is soon released without charge. Residents have no concrete proof it was him, but an anti Richard campaign sweeps through Albion Avenue.

[Tyra Womack]

Some people didn't feel safe anymore. They did band together because that was the rule. That was it. Just to stay away from him.

[Michael Darrah]

This isn't that kind of neighborhood.

[Shea Brown]

Richard guy who's doing all the houses.

[Jerrell Womack]

This guy just won't quit.

[Tyra Womack]

Richard went door to door, telling neighbors not to trust other neighbors and to avoid Tara and Jerrel.

[Richard Greene]

Hey, man, I know there's a lot of tension going on in the neighborhood at the moment.

[Shea Brown]

We've always had a peaceful neighborhood, and for Richard to try to bring conflict and confusion, it was just not acceptable.

[Richard Greene]

But just so you know, Tara's responsible for all of this.

[Shea Brown]

If Richard did that or said that, no one would believe him because of the type of person Tyra was.

[Michael Darrah]

Listen, man, I've got a lot of good friends in this neighborhood, so I.

[Jerrell Womack]

Don'T want to be hearing this.

[Narrator]

Richard's plan backfires, leaving him increasingly isolated.

[Michael Darrah]

When Richard realized that even the other men in the neighborhood were beginning to turn on him, he likely felt very threatened. When Richard felt control slipping from his grasp, he probably began to panic.

[Narrator]

The whole neighborhood may be on Tyra's side, but it doesn't bring her much comfort in her ongoing, ever escalating conflict with Richard Greene.

[Jerrell Womack]

I'm scared. I swear. It's only a matter of time before Richard hurts me or Someone else I care about.

[Narrator]

Increasingly distrustful of the man she shares a wall with, Tyra can't help but think Richard might be listening in on her private conversations.

[Michael Darrah]

Tyra was absolutely right to be scared and nervous about Richard.

[Shea Brown]

I wouldn't be surprised if Richard was listening to what was going on in Tyra's home. Since they were next door neighbor, Tyra.

[Narrator]

And her friends are growing more and more fearful of their neighbor Richard. Feeling like they have no other option, they try to appeal to his more level headed better half, Shelly, to help resolve the conflict.

[Jerrell Womack]

Shelly.

[Tyra Womack]

Richard's behavior has to stop.

[Jerrell Womack]

He's getting out of control. Shelly, please help work with us here.

[Kristen Lewis]

I'm sorry.

[Jerrell Womack]

Come on, you have lifelong friends on this show. You're better than this.

[Michael Darrah]

Richard's partner is now stuck in this position where she's caught between close friends and Richard.

[Jerrell Womack]

Proverbs 14:21. He who despises his neighbor is a sinner.

[Tyra Womack]

I gotta go.

[Kristen Lewis]

I'm sorry.

[Shea Brown]

I was angry, disappointed, frustrated, confused. I didn't understand why Richard's partner would treat other neighbors that she had known for so many years the way she did when no one had done anything to her.

[Narrator]

For now, Richard and Shelly's household remains a united front. But the problems between Richard and the community grow day by day. And just as tensions on Albion Avenue reach an all time high, Richard spots something happening to his prized Cadillac. Now he is the one being ticketed.

[Richard Greene]

What are you doing? You're parked too far from the curb.

[Michael Darrah]

Sir, it's an offense.

[Richard Greene]

That's crap like what are you even doing here?

[Michael Darrah]

We have to take reports of all offenses seriously.

[Shea Brown]

I believe Richard had my car ticketed one time and I did the same thing to him.

[Narrator]

Although the issues are petty, the upheaval that follows is anything but. At one point, the alleged criminal histories of multiple area residents are posted on papers throughout the neighborhood, turning the community into a cauldron of suspicion and distrust. Though they are unable to prove who it was, many residents believe they know who is responsible. Here's Shea Brown's perspective.

[Shea Brown]

I believe that it was Rich's intention to destroy the peacefulness that was in the neighborhood, to show division among other neighbors. We had a peaceful neighborhood. There's no reason to print out any backgrounds for anyone in the neighborhood except for Richard.

[Narrator]

For Tyra, there is no question it's Richard who's been spreading slander about her and fellow neighbors to create rifts in their tight knit community.

[Michael Darrah]

Even though this is publicly available information, nobody wants to feel like their dirty laundry is Being aired for everyone to see.

[Shea Brown]

When someone constantly finds negative things to say and do, it tends to wear on you.

[Tyra Womack]

I don't think anyone knew it was gonna become what it did.

[Kristen Lewis]

When Richard was outside, people would be careful about what they did. You're walking on eggshells in your own neighborhood, not wanting to upset, you know, someone that might be unstable.

[Narrator]

According to neighbors, on one particular day, the perceived threat from Richard escalates to entirely new heights.

[Shea Brown]

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]

I don't think someone like Richard should have ever had a gun. He does not seem mentally stable.

[Narrator]

And to make matters worse, Tyra has a realization that makes her hesitant to call the police.

[Kristen Lewis]

Knowing that Richard's partner works for the city, I can imagine that she would be able to access who called the police.

[Michael Darrah]

It's no surprise that Tyra would be too afraid to call the police on her neighbor.

[Narrator]

Fearing possible retribution, Tyra and her son Jerrell decide not to involve the authorities. Struggling with the ever growing stress, Tyra contemplates an alternative option. One she hopes will deliver her family from evil.

[Jerrell Womack]

How about we just pack up and move?

[Richard Greene]

We've been here our entire lives. The community means everything to you.

[Michael Darrah]

Sometimes picking up and moving just isn't an option.

[Kristen Lewis]

The families that have these houses don't want to give these houses up. And like Ms. Tyran Jerrell, you know, she had her son there from an early age.

[Narrator]

For the single mother, the nightmare has become unbearable. It seems there's only one option left in her arsenal.

[Shea Brown]

Tyro Peacemaker.

[Jerrell Womack]

I'll go talk to him. But I want you staying here, son. I can't risk him getting angry with you.

[Richard Greene]

It's too dangerous. He has a gun.

[Jerrell Womack]

I have to try anyway. And put my faith that the good Lord's gonna protect me.

[Richard Greene]

Mom, please don't. At least let me come with you.

[Shea Brown]

They were praying and hoping that this would go away. The conflicts, the confusion that Richard would bring in the community.

[Narrator]

With seemingly no end, the conflict in sight, Tyra tries one last time to smooth things over with Richard.

[Shea Brown]

And she would always say, I'm just gonna pray about it. I would say, say that in my opinion, Tyra was fearful of the unknown, of what Richard was capable of doing. And that's why she always said, I'm just going to pray.

[Richard Greene]

What do you want?

[Jerrell Womack]

Please, Richard, can we just put this mess behind us? But no guns.

[Richard Greene]

You're the one who's causing this. I need a gun to protect my family.

[Jerrell Womack]

This whole thing has just gone too far. And over what? Parking tickets and a bit of music.

[Richard Greene]

Tyra, you need to leave now.

[Tyra Womack]

I think he just wasn't in his right mind.

[Michael Darrah]

Bringing a gun to an already tense situation like this really brings things to a whole other level.

[Narrator]

Despite her efforts to broker peace, Tyra and Jerrel's relationship with Richard has passed the point of no return.

[Michael Darrah]

When you've tried everything and things are still getting worse, he might become desperate.

[Narrator]

Richard is not backing down.

[Michael Darrah]

I believe he probably felt there was no way he was going to regain control of the neighborhood.

[Shea Brown]

Whenever I would see Richard, I would prepare myself for conflict because I wouldn't know what someone had said to trigger him.

[Narrator]

And all control will soon be lost for good.

[Richard Greene]

Foreign.

[Shelley Arrington]

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[Narrator]

When you're in Navy medicine, you see more than numbers on a chart. Behind every checkup, every set of vitals is a service member who needs you, a pilot preparing for takeoff, a submariner diving beneath the waves.

[Jerrell Womack]

Here, medicine makes the mission Navy.

[Narrator]

Medicine lets you focus on patients who protect us all while we focus on administrative hassles and even reimbursement.

[Jerrell Womack]

Your medical school loans.

[Narrator]

Start your [e-mail] Medicine America's Navy forged.

[Jerrell Womack]

By the sea.

[Narrator]

In the summer of 2020 Albion Avenue is rocked to its very core.

[Tyra Womack]

It was a normal evening on June 10th. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

[Kristen Lewis]

Just normal, peaceful, quiet day.

[Tyra Womack]

Everything was fine. And then, very quickly, it wasn't.

[Michael Darrah]

Clearly Richard had some agenda on his mind this evening.

[Narrator]

The agenda seems to be continuing the dispute with Tyra over the parking in front of their semi detached homes.

[Shea Brown]

Richard put a sign on Tyra's yard.

[Narrator]

It's never been 100% confirmed by witness or court records, but the belief is that Richard Syne has something to do with his continued attempt to to control the street parking in front of his and Tyra's homes. Jerrel sees Richard hammering his homemade sign into his mother's front yard.

[Michael Darrah]

It Was enough to create a confrontation.

[Richard Greene]

What's your obsession with the parking, Will? You and your mom need to spell it out for you?

[Tyra Womack]

Richard was starting issues unprovoked.

[Richard Greene]

I'm tired of you, old man. I had it with you.

[Michael Darrah]

Tyra came back from her walk and saw that there was a confrontation unfolding.

[Richard Greene]

Get this place crap out of here. Are you a big man now, huh? You're a pathetic jerk.

[Narrator]

The shouting between the men grabs the attention of the entire street.

[Kristen Lewis]

I arrived home as it was all unfolding.

[Tyra Womack]

I was sitting on the couch in the living room and looked out the window.

[Richard Greene]

Coward.

[Jerrell Womack]

Jerrel, just leave it alone. Get inside now.

[Kristen Lewis]

Tyra came back from her workout, and she tried to de escalate the situation.

[Narrator]

While Tyra attempts to ease the confrontation, Richard seems intent on ending it once and for all.

[Shea Brown]

Richard went to the trunk of his car and pulled out a gun.

[Tyra Womack]

I don't think Ms. Tyra thought that it would escalate to Richard pulling a gun on them, because if she did, I do think she would have moved.

[Narrator]

But on June 10, it's too late to do anything except flee.

[Kristen Lewis]

They started running. You know, I know Jerrell was like, running zigzags up the street, and him and Ms. Tyra were running.

[Tyra Womack]

And we heard gunshots.

[Kristen Lewis]

Tyra did everything she could to make sure Jerrel was going to be okay.

[Shea Brown]

She was a protector, definitely of her only son.

[Narrator]

Jerrel is able to escape further up the street. But Tyra's protection of her son comes at a terrible cost.

[Michael Darrah]

Tyra was shot twice. Once in the arm and once in the chest.

[Tyra Womack]

And then we heard screaming.

[Kristen Lewis]

That's kind of when it hit me.

[Shea Brown]

What happened for the first time. I was now afraid because I never saw this coming. I never thought that it would get to this point.

[Narrator]

Amidst the chaotic situation, Jerrel is initially oblivious of his mother's injuries.

[Shea Brown]

I heard that Jerrel didn't know that his mom was shot because it happened so fast. He's still running.

[Narrator]

According to multiple witnesses, Richard then directs his rage at the entire neighborhood. And most of them are in close proximity, Having peered out to see what the commotion is all about.

[Richard Greene]

I'll shoot all of you.

[Kristen Lewis]

He's telling our other neighbor. You're next. And, like, cussing, yelling.

[Tyra Womack]

I turned off all the lights and just waited.

[Narrator]

Kristen Lewis is still parked on the street when the shooting occurs and recalls the horror of that day.

[Kristen Lewis]

I heard the shots, and then I saw him walk up past the driver's side of the car. I'm in the passenger seat. And I just tell my friends, stay very still.

[Richard Greene]

I shoot everyone here.

[Shea Brown]

Richard, While he was arguing, he had pointed the gun, but there were no more bullets.

[Tyra Womack]

And then he fled into the woods. We have woods next to our house in a river.

[Kristen Lewis]

At that moment, we're like, we don't know if he's coming back.

[Narrator]

With Richard safely out of sight, the community comes out of hiding to try and save Tyra.

[Kristen Lewis]

The neighbors did try to save her after she had been shot.

[Tyra Womack]

My neighbors showed tremendous bravery.

[Shea Brown]

The gentleman was on the phone talking to 911 while a neighbor was holding Tyra's head.

[Jerrell Womack]

Don't worry, Tara.

[Shea Brown]

The pyramids will be here any minute.

[Kristen Lewis]

I can't imagine, you know, the trauma that comes along with trying to save Jerrell.

[Narrator]

Still unaware that his mother has been struck by Richard's bullets, soon returns to the scene.

[Tyra Womack]

Mom.

[Shea Brown]

Mom.

[Kristen Lewis]

I think he at first thought that she ran into a house.

[Richard Greene]

Mom, where are you?

[Kristen Lewis]

But I don't think he realized that she had been hit.

[Richard Greene]

Mom, I'm here.

[Michael Darrah]

Once he sees her, he realizes how serious the situation is.

[Richard Greene]

I'm here. Your baby boy's here.

[Narrator]

Mom.

[Kristen Lewis]

His mind was probably like, I have to save my mom.

[Shea Brown]

It was quick. Police cars, the fire department, the ambulance came. It was a lot of lights that lit up the Longville area.

[Jerrell Womack]

Come here.

[Tyra Womack]

Mom.

[Jerrell Womack]

I'm so proud of you.

[Kristen Lewis]

I love you so much.

[Richard Greene]

Please help her.

[Michael Darrah]

They performed CPR at the scene and rushed to Tyra to the hospital.

[Narrator]

But sadly, it's too late. Tyra succumbs to her injuries.

[Shea Brown]

We were all sad and crying.

[Tyra Womack]

We kind of just sat in the living room in shock because by that time we knew that she had passed.

[Shea Brown]

You know, it's just. It was just a sad evening. An unexpected sad evening that started off like a normal day.

[Narrator]

It's not long before news of the beloved radio host's death and her killer's disappearance spreads across the media.

[Shelley Arrington]

A well known radio personality for WEAA was fatally shot June 10th.

[Richard Greene]

Now police are trying to piece together what happened and arrest a suspect. They do say that they have a person of interest in the case. If you have any information, you're asked to call police.

[Michael Darrah]

Richard was on the loose and considered extremely dangerous.

[Narrator]

Police quickly identify Richard Greene as the prime suspect and a multi day manhunt ensues.

[Kristen Lewis]

The manhunt was the scariest part. I remember I called out of work. We all stayed inside. Me and my roommates actually slept in the living room altogether because we were just nervous. We didn't know where he was, it.

[Michael Darrah]

Was starting to look like he may have gotten away with it.

[Narrator]

With the killer on the run, Lauraville is gripped by fear.

[Kristen Lewis]

We had no idea what was going to happen, if he was going to come back.

[Tyra Womack]

That caused a lot of us to watch the news and watch social media and see if he was caught yet. We were very nervous and anxious.

[Kristen Lewis]

It was just. It was a terrifying week.

[Narrator]

After six days on the run, police finally captured the fugitive, Richard Greene, not far from the scene of the crime. He's arrested at a bus stop in Rosedale, Maryland, just 30 minutes outside Baltimore.

[Shea Brown]

We didn't feel safe until he was actually apprehended.

[Kristen Lewis]

I was grateful that he was arrested. I was glad that he admitted it.

[Narrator]

The charges laid on Richard are extensive.

[Michael Darrah]

He is charged with first degree murder, three counts of firearm use in a violent crime, attempted first degree murder, and first degree assault.

[Narrator]

Neighbor Shea brown, who works at a local prison, recalls seeing Richard following his arrest for the murder of her friend and neighbor.

[Shea Brown]

At the time, I was working at central booking, and I actually saw him. Richard didn't see me, but I actually saw him being transported from one cell to another. I was angry, very angry, But I was told not to confront him, so I didn't. He never saw me, but I saw him. He was like a total different person. Not verbal, just like quiet as a mouse. And I was shocked because I was saying to myself, where's the Richard that's a bully? Is it just with females? Because where I work was among primarily on certain floors, males.

[Narrator]

But one question remains.

[Kristen Lewis]

I just wanted to know was like, why?

[Narrator]

To everyone's surprise, Richard's defense attorneys asked the court to find their client incompetent, citing that his doctor forced medications on him that resulted in paranoid delusions.

[Michael Darrah]

In October of 2021, Richard is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial.

[Narrator]

What ensues is a complex legal battle that still continues today.

[Michael Darrah]

Richard is then reassessed as competent in 2022, only to be deemed incompetent once again.

[Narrator]

Richard's charges remain pending as his competency is reevaluated. As of the airing of this episode, he has yet to be convicted of any crime. Some neighbors believe this back and forth is all a calculated move from their former neighbor.

[Shea Brown]

My opinion is Richard is a manipulator. He knows the system, he's playing the system, and he's using the system so he won't be tried and hopefully hospitalized for the duration of his time being incarcerated.

[Kristen Lewis]

I do think that he's unstable. I do believe that he's unwell. I don't think that any of that is false, but I still believe there needs to be justice.

[Shea Brown]

Richard is evil, very manipulative and unpredictable.

[Tyra Womack]

I think that if he gets a guilty verdict, it will bring some closure specifically to Ms. Tyra's family. And I do hope one day they do get that closure.

[Narrator]

Even though Richard's fate remains unknown, Tyra Womack's is forever sealed.

[Tyra Womack]

I would describe this tragedy as traumatic as life changing. It just shouldn't have happened.

[Narrator]

Tyra's community has had to learn to live with the pain of losing their bright light. Not only that, but they have to get used to Sunday mornings without her gentle guiding voice on the radio.

[Kristen Lewis]

She should be remembered for being an amazing mom. Even in the tragedy, she was being an amazing moment. During that moment.

[Narrator]

The painful memory of June 10, 2020 leads Jerrell to move out of his mother's home.

[Kristen Lewis]

I wouldn't be able to stay there if that happened.

[Shea Brown]

I can only imagine that it's hard for him.

[Narrator]

Shelly Arrington still owns the home she shared with Richard.

[Shea Brown]

I see Richard's partner occasionally come to the home. She doesn't stay there as much.

[Narrator]

For those who remain, life will never be the same.

[Tyra Womack]

We heard her voice on radio for so long. She was inside our house, you know, even when we were not around her.

[Jerrell Womack]

Welcome back to the show folks, with me, your host, Tyra Womack.

[Tyra Womack]

She left a legacy. Her work will speak for her.

[Jerrell Womack]

Blessed are the merciful.

[Shea Brown]

The neighborhood is peaceful again, but there's a void.

[Jerrell Womack]

Blessed are the peacemakers. There's an emptiness and blessed are they that mourn.

[Narrator]

This podcast is produced by Cream Productions in association with Fremantle Media and id. You can check out Fear Thy Neighbor on Matt's Discovery and ID.

[Kristen Lewis]

Acast powers the World's Best Podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.

[Jerrell Womack]

Do you like being educated on things that entertain but don't matter? Well, then you need to be listening to the Podcast with Knox and Jamie. Every Wednesday we put together an episode dedicated to delightful idiocy to give your brain a break from all the serious and important stuff.

[Narrator]

Whether we're deep diving a classic movie, dissecting the true meanings behind the newest.

[Jerrell Womack]

Slang, or dunking on our own listeners.

[Narrator]

For their bad takes or cringy stories.

[Tyra Womack]

We always approach our topics with humor.

[Narrator]

And just a little bit of side.

[Tyra Womack]

Eye, and we end every episode with recommendations on all the best new movies, books, TV shows or music.

[Jerrell Womack]

To find out more, just search up the Podcast with Knox and Jamie. Wherever you listen to podcasts, and prepare to make Wednesday your new favorite day of the week.

[Michael Darrah]

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[Kristen Lewis]

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