Simone Biles’ brother, Tevin Biles-Thomas, has been charged with murder in connection with a shooting last New Year’s Eve that left three people dead
PHOTO: SIMONE BILES/INSTAGRAM
Simone Biles’ boyfriend, Stacey Ervin Jr., alluded to her family in an Instagram Story after the Olympian’s brother was arrested in connection with a triple-homicide.
“The strongest people I’ve ever met have not been given an easier life,” the post on Friday read. “They’ve learned to create strength and happiness from dark places.”
That same day, the 22-year-old gymnast went on to post a photo of the pair smiling together.
“Missing you a lil extra today,” she captioned the image, to which her boyfriend, a gymnast turned pro wrestler, replied, “I miss you too babe 😘 I’ll see you very soon!”
The pair celebrated their 2-year anniversary earlier this month.
Hours after her brother was arrested on murder charges, Biles also posted a message on Twitter.
“Eating my feelings don’t talk to me,” she tweeted at 9:51 p.m. on Thursday.
According to an official with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, Biles’ 24-year-old brother, Tevin Biles-Thomas, was arrested Thursday and taken into custody at about 3:30 p.m.
Biles-Thomas, of Cleveland, is charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault and perjury, according to a statement from Cleveland police.
FRANCOIS NEL/GETTY; CLEVELAND POLICE DEPT.
The alleged shooting took place at a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, 2018, at an Airbnb rental, when an “uninvited group” entered the home and “an altercation ensued” between the group and guests, say Cleveland police.
Delvante Johnson, 19, Toshaun Banks, 21, and Devaughn Gibson, 23, were killed when gunfire erupted.
“In this challenging time for Simone Biles and her family, USA Gymnastics offers our continued support to Simone, her family and her gymnastics family,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement to PEOPLE. “This is a very personal and private situation for the Biles family and we will respect their privacy and hope others will do the same.”
Biles and her brother did not grow up in the same household, with the gymnast being raised mostly in Texas, while Biles-Thomas grew up in Ohio.
Born in Columbus, Simone, Tevin and sisters, Adria and Ashley, were placed in foster care at a young age because their mother, Shannon Biles, struggled with addiction, The Washington Post previously reported.
When Simone was 6, she and her sister Adria were adopted by their grandfather and raised in Houston, CBS News reported.
Tevin and Ashley were adopted by their great aunt and lived in Cleveland, local station WOIO reported.
Biles-Thomas is being held at Liberty County Jail in Hinesville, Georgia. He is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Cleveland on Sept. 13, according to court records. He has not yet entered a plea.
It is unclear when he will be extradited.
Court records do not list an attorney for Biles-Thomas.