In the winter of 2018, the life of 14-year-old Tiquan Taylor was tragically cut short in Columbia, South Carolina. On Sunday, February 25, the young male was fatally shot in the upper body during a prearranged meeting to sell a gaming device. The incident unfolded in the 1500 block of St. Andrews Road, where Tiquan and another 15-year-old were met by the prospective buyer.
The transaction took a violent turn when the supposed buyer, identified as 16-year-old Desmond Marquise Cromer,
attempted to rob the two teenagers. In the ensuing struggle, Cromer opened fire, striking both Tiquan and his companion. Tiquan was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other teenager sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The senselessness of the violence, erupting from a simple sale of a gaming console, sent shockwaves through the community.
In the wake of the shooting, the Richland County Sheriff's Department launched an investigation that quickly led to the apprehension of Desmond Marquise Cromer. He was taken into custody and faced a litany of serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, attempted armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Authorities announced that Cromer would be charged as an adult and he was subsequently booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
