Kevin Taylor, a 22-year-old resident of Carmichael, California, tragically lost his life on December 7, 2021. The incident occurred at an apartment complex on the 5900 block of Van Alstine Avenue in Sacramento County. On that fateful night, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of gunshots and a scream around 10 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies found Kevin Taylor with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by the deputies and paramedics, Taylor succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone wrong. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, two men, Devonti Long and Tyrell Jarmon, had orchestrated a fake drug deal with the intent to rob Taylor and raid his apartment for drugs and money. On the night of the incident, Taylor met Long and Jarmon at the gate of his apartment complex, while a third accomplice, Kishawn Johnson, hid nearby. Taylor was coerced into walking towards his apartment, but he turned to confront the two men, at which point he was shot in the abdomen. The fatal encounter left Taylor dead at the scene.
Following a thorough investigation, Long and Jarmon were arrested and charged with first-degree murder, with a special circumstance that the murder was committed during the course of a robbery. In March 2023, both men were convicted of the charges and now face life sentences without the possibility of parole. Kishawn Johnson, the third accomplice, was convicted of attempted robbery and faces up to four years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 28, while Long and Jarmon are set to be sentenced on June 2.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the young age of the victim. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office continues to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward, as the investigation remains ongoing. The tragic death of Kevin Taylor serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal drug activities and the devastating impact they can have on individuals and their families.
