16-year-old killed while driving in Tacoma saves 8 lives through organ donation

The 16-year-old who was shot and killed while driving in Tacoma in January has been identified as Wyatt Owens. Friends and family said he was selfless, funny and hardworking.

Dallas Jolley said Wyatt was like a little brother to him.

“I’m never going to see him again. I mean, before this, I only had my grandparents die,” Jolley said. “I never thought this would be a conversation that I would have to have about anybody in my life.”

Wyatt was shot in the head Jan. 15 while he was driving near North 43rd Street and North Pearl Street. He died days later from his injuries.

“We are definitely worse off without him,” Jolley said. “Wyatt was brilliant, he was incredibly talented, he had so much raw potential.”

Jolley said Wyatt’s life was taken far too soon, but he is still making a lasting impact. Wyatt was an organ donor and helped save eight different people.

“When he got his license, he talked to his dad about being a donor and if he wanted to do anything, he wanted to make sure that he was able to give after he was gone,” Jolley said.

At this point, Tacoma police still have not caught the shooter.

“Wyatt deserves justice, he deserves justice, the people who did this to him, they deserve to be punished,” Jolley said.

The family does have a GoFundMe set up to help pay for funeral and medical costs.

Police are asking that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.