On a cold December day in Baltimore, the life of 48-year-old Kenneth Taylor, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On December 97, 2014, he was discovered deceased inside his Mercedes SUV in the 2500 block of McHenry Street, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Taylor was known in the area for selling counterfeit goods and small quantities of marijuana from his vehicle, a business that ultimately appears to have led to his demise.
The investigation into his murder quickly
focused on the digital trail left behind on two cellphones found inside Taylor's vehicle. Detectives uncovered text messages discussing money owed for marijuana with a contact saved as "Freeky Good." Further investigation revealed that the last call Taylor received, just a minute before his death, was from a number labeled "Freeky 3," believed to be the same individual. This crucial lead allowed investigators to use cellphone tracking technology to pinpoint a location in the 2600 block of Frederick Avenue.
At the residence, police encountered 17-year-old Tyriq Bowden. Although he initially denied knowing Taylor, Bowden eventually admitted to assisting him in selling marijuana and to possessing one of the cellphones linked to the victim. A search of Bowden's home uncovered a Hi-Point. 380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, which ballistics testing confirmed as the weapon used to kill Kenneth Taylor. Consequently, Tyriq Bowden was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault, and several weapons violations. He was subsequently held at the Baltimore City Detention Center.
