In the Cross Lanes neighborhood of Kanawha County, West Virginia, 15-year-old Bryce Allen Tate, a sophomore at Nitro High School, tragically ended his life by self-inflicted gunshot wound on November 6, 2025.
Kanawha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 911 calls from his parents around 7:10 p.m. at their Kelly Road home, finding him deceased inside the residence. The shocking loss has left his family, school, and community grappling with unimaginable grief.
Bryce attended Nitro High School, where he excelled as an honors student with a strong focus on math and science classes. He was active in the school’s basketball team, practicing diligently after school to improve his skills. His education reflected a bright young man with big dreams, often discussing future college plans with teachers.
Bryce was the cherished only child of parents Adam and Amanda Tate, sharing a loving home filled with family game nights and weekend hikes in Kanawha State Forest. His parents described him as outgoing and affectionate, always quick with a hug after school. These close bonds formed the joyful center of his teenage world.
Bryce balanced school with after-school basketball practices and part-time chores at home, saving allowance for new sneakers. He enjoyed casual hobbies like video gaming with friends and collecting sports cards, reflecting a well-adjusted teen full of energy. Weekends often included family drives to local parks for picnics.
Kanawha County investigators seized Bryce’s cell phone, uncovering he had been targeted in an online sextortion scheme starting at 4:37 p.m. that day. The FBI has taken over the case to track the perpetrators, with less than three hours passing between the first extortion text and the tragedy. Authorities emphasize no ongoing threat but urge digital safety talks.
Cross Lanes honors Bryce with a memorial at Nitro High School, where balloons and jerseys mark his locker. His family held a celebration of life on November 13 at Twin City Bible Church, channeling sorrow into awareness campaigns. The community vows to support mental health resources, ensuring Bryce’s light guides conversations on online dangers.