He Came to My Door Holding a Basketball Just Weeks Before He Was Murdered in Omaha — His Killer Faced 80 Years to Life in Prison
Messiah Holley is remembered not just for his tragic end, but for the bright boy he was.
September 21, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 16, 2026
MzChy Toyou alleges that 17-year-old Messiah Holley came to her home looking for her son with a basketball. He struggled with mental health, and she sat down and talked to him about his goals in life.
Holley was a good kid, but his vulnerable state may have made him a target for gang members.
Messiah Holley was a young man with a bright future and a love for basketball. He was a good kid, full of potential, who took pleasure in playing the game he loved.
He was a teenager facing significant mental health challenges, but had a bright spirit.
His family has described his struggle, noting the painful lack of resources and support available to help him during this vulnerable time.
They remember him not as a troublemaker, but as a young person in need of care that he never received.
Tragically, his family believes that his vulnerable state may have made him a target for local gang members. This targeting ultimately led to his untimely death.
This is sad. This young man came to my house one day looking for my son with his basketball in his hands. Honestly, around the time he got killed before. I sat down and talked to him about his goals in life, and he definitely was a bright boy, prayers for his family 🕊️
Tyrice Coleman was Arrested for Taking Messiah Holley’s Life
Tyrice Coleman, an Omaha man, was sentenced for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Messiah Holley in 2026.
Authorities found Holley suffering from gunshot wounds near 18th and Spencer Streets on November 8, 2026, and took him to Nebraska Medicine. Later, he was pronounced dead.
Holley’s friends and family .
A group of young men surrounded and assaulted Holley before firing a shot. He was shot five times in the head, back, neck, arms, and hands.
Some of the males running to a vehicle, and others to a nearby house. A sweep of that same house recovered various suspects, and a subsequent search of the home revealed a Glock handgun with an extended magazine in an upstairs bedroom.
Later, several evidence and witnesses led investigators to Coleman as a shooter.
Coleman was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison, but because of his age, 17 years old at the time of the shooting, he could not be sentenced to a mandatory life sentence.
However, he is expected to serve about 62 years and will be eligible for parole at the age of 81.
Moreover, the court record showed that Coleman had been on indefinite juvenile probation since 2026. He was guilty of felony theft in 2026 and spent nearly a year in detention.
Later, he was released to live with a family member in August 2026.
Coleman’s arrest warrant was issued after he failed to check in with his probation officer just one day after Holley’s death.
Afterwards, he was charged with possessing a handgun as a prohibited juvenile offender and first-degree murder.
JUSTICE for MESSIAH HOLLEY‼️ GOD U DID IT AGAIN🥺
Sadly, the tragic incident that took the innocent life devastated two families. A broken juvenile justice system failed both families.
Furthermore, LB530 aims to address long-overdue issues and implement the necessary changes to keep children, families, and law enforcement officers safe.
LB530 is a new law in Nebraska drafted and sponsored by the OPOA and our advocates.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Messiah Jeremiah Holley was born on August 10, 2006.
- He was buried at .
- Check other Articles on
Ashish Maharjan, author at Players Bio, has been covering news with a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling. A writer with a passion for capturing the essence of athletic competition.
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