Nationwide — Jakolbi Taylor, a 16-year-old African American promising young basketball player, was tragically shot and killed over the weekend while on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a basketball tournament.
Taylor and his grandmother, Paula Basham, had traveled to Myrtle Beach for an AAU tournament. During the trip, Taylor scored 43 points in a standout performance, making his grandmother proud.
After the tournament on Friday night, Taylor and his teammates went to the boardwalk for a typical teenage outing. Tragically, he was shot during this outing.
“To me it looks like my grandson was running,” Paula told WLBT. “So, that was a coward to shoot somebody in the back.”
According to WBTW, Myrtle Beach police reported that several suspects were seen running towards the beach after the shooting. Officers responded to gunshots and started searching for the suspects, who fled the scene.
The police have not made any arrests or shared additional details about the investigation. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Taylor’s family is devastated by the loss. His aunt, Briana Taylor, said, “They’re 16. They’re not thinking that this is dangerous. So, just because they were out on the beach at night, my nephew deserved to die. I don’t even know why that’s a part of the conversation, honestly.”
The family has always been supportive of Jakolbi’s basketball dreams. Basham, who raised Taylor, was his biggest supporter in basketball ever since he started at a young age.
“I’ve always slept to a basketball, a basketball bouncing, a basketball goal, basketball up against the wall,” Basham reminisced.
Standing tall at nearly 6 feet, Taylor played for two traveling teams in Roanoke and excelled at Patrick Henry High School. He was dedicated, attending numerous training camps to improve his skills. His dream was to reach the NBA and provide for his family.
“He was going to make a difference; he’s always had a special gift,” Basham said.
Basham and the rest of Taylor’s family are now seeking answers and justice for his untimely death. They urge anyone with information to come forward.
Source: BlackNews.com
