Authorities end search at Grant Park quarry for missing Winston-Salem man

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WGHP) – 19 years old Tyshaun Allen, a Kaedian, remains missing but research efforts continue.

The Winston-Salem Police Department said they finished their search “for the day” just before noon Thursday, but Allen is still missing and they plan to “continue to follow all leads.”

Investigators searched the Grant Park Quarry for two days, and the park will remain closed to the public while the Recreation and Parks Department prepares for Friday's “Rock Out the Quarry” event.

Allen has been missing since May 31. He disappeared after Winston-Salem officers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. Police stressed that Allen is not wanted in connection with a criminal investigation.

Winston-Salem police shut down the Grant Park quarry Wednesday as investigators continue to search for a missing teenager, and several officials involved in different aspects of the search spoke out to provide insight into the types of tools used in research.

“As we take all missing persons cases extremely seriously, it is important to note that this particular case is unique in that Mr. Allen's last known location was at the quarry,” said the Chief of Defense. Winston-Salem police, William Penn.

Penn said the city averages about 30 missing persons cases per month and “overwhelmingly” the majority are found on land, placing this case among the outliers.

Penn said the city uses grid search tactics, community canvassing and camera footage to search for missing people.

The Winston-Salem Fire Department's Water Rescue Team can help by launching boats.

The High Point Fire Department has a dive team, which is used as a last resort to avoid putting divers in danger, according to HPFD Asst. Chief Michael Foster. Officials did not disclose whether divers were involved in the case, but said divers were typically involved in searches spanning several days.

Research teams also have access to drones equipped with thermal technology, sonar-equipped devices such as the Marine Sonic towfish, and a Deep Trekker remotely operated underwater vehicle that includes sonar and a 4K camera.

The police department works with the Winston-Salem Fire Department, High Point Fire Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management.

At this point, police say they do not suspect foul play.

Starting Tuesday, “Rock Out the Quarry,” a large community event scheduled for Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Grant Park Quarry, is expected to go ahead as planned and will not be affected by Thursday’s closure or search.

Disappearance

Around 11:30 p.m. on May 31, Winston-Salem officers attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations, including fictitious registration. The vehicle continued to drive, but officers did not pursue it and lost sight of the vehicle, according to a news release from the Winston-Salem Police Department.

The suspect vehicle was located at approximately 11:50 p.m. Officers were advised that the suspect vehicle was located at Grant Park Quarry. When the police arrived, they found him abandoned in the parking lot.

Shortly after the vehicle was located, the driver, Tyrone Monte Eldridge, Jr., 20, of Winston-Salem, was located and arrested. He was charged with fleeing to elude and multiple traffic violations. He was given a $5,000 secured bond.

Officers did not find the passenger, who police identified as Allen, despite the use of a thermal-capable drone, camera surveillance footage and a perimeter search conducted by officers at the scene.

The research

On Sunday, Allen's family informed police that he had not returned home and officers began searching for Allen.

WSPD emphasized that the department is not seeking to press charges regarding its involvement in the May 31 incident. His goal is to bring Allen home safely.

“It's concerning because it's unusual for him to have no communication with his family and that's why we're concerned and the family is concerned, and we want to do everything we can to found,” said Winston-Salem police Lt. » Charles Olivo declared during a joint press point with the Winston-Salem Fire Department on June 5.

Police returned to Quarry in Grant Park where they searched the area on foot with a hunting dog and deployed a drone. Police searched all local hospitals and requested help from the Winston-Salem Fire Department to search for the water.

Asst. Fire Chief Andrew Gray said they used boats and combed the banks of the quarry on Sunday. The following Monday, they requested assistance from emergency management and the Belews Creek Fire Department to use sonar technology to search for the water. The High Point Fire Department also brought in an underwater drone.

At the time, Olivo said visitors to the Grant Park quarry need not worry amid the ongoing search.

“There is currently no adverse situation in this investigation, so I don't think there is any public interest in going to the Grant Park quarry,” Olivo said. “Now, if they're out there and see something that can help us in this investigation or something like that or if they have any concerns, they can certainly contact law enforcement.”

Allen has brown eyes and black hair. He is approximately six feet tall and weighs 170 pounds. Allen was last seen in the area of ​​1790 Quarry Road, wearing a black-on-red Nike jacket, dark pants and flip flops.

If you have any information regarding Allen's location, you are asked to call (336) 773-7700.