On April 28, 2020, Todd Taylor, a 20-year-old African American male from Joliet, IL, was tragically gunned down in a driveway on Grant Avenue. The incident occurred around 8:59 p.m. when Joliet police officers, who were in the vicinity, heard gunshots and observed a black Cadillac SUV fleeing the scene. Despite their efforts to stop the vehicle, it sped away, leading to a high-speed chase that ended near West Coal City Road in Diamond.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but were eventually apprehended.
The investigation into Todd Taylor's death revealed that he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, which were the cause of his demise. The Joliet Police Department, with assistance from other law enforcement agencies, worked diligently to identify and capture the suspects involved. On July 7, 2020, Dartavius Payton, a 24-year-old resident of the Joliet area, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with Todd Taylor's death. Payton's arrest was made by the Grundy County Sheriff's Office at a residence in Diamond, Illinois. His bail was set at $2.5 million, and he remains in custody awaiting trial.
The murder of Todd Taylor was one of two homicides that occurred on Joliet's east side on the same day. Just hours before Taylor's death, 47-year-old Floyd Faint Sr. was also fatally shot outside his home on Francis Street. The proximity and timing of these two violent incidents have raised concerns within the community and highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the area. While the case of Floyd Faint Sr. remains unsolved, the arrest of Dartavius Payton in connection with Todd Taylor's murder has provided some measure of justice for the Taylor family.
The legal proceedings against Dartavius Payton are ongoing, and the community continues to seek answers and justice for the senseless loss of Todd Taylor. The Joliet Police Department has expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support from various law enforcement agencies that contributed to the investigation and apprehension of the suspects. As the case progresses, the hope is that it will bring closure to the Taylor family and serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing gun violence in the community.
