In the city of Philadelphia, a 17-year-old African American male named Thalyl Rashiem Taylor, known to many as 'Baby 9,' was already navigating a life shadowed by profound loss. His father, Tyrone Taylor, was shot and killed when Thalyl was only three years old. Tragedy would strike the family again in September 2018 when his older brother, Thomas 'Manny' Page, was also lost to gun violence. The death of his brother, whom he was very close to, left Thalyl angry and in immense pain. Despite his personal struggles, he was known as the comedian of the family, with an infectious smile and laughter. He dreamed of a future far from the hardships he had known, aspiring to become an NBA player and promising his mother, Chimere Quattlebaum, that he would one day make her a millionaire and move her out of their neighborhood.
On March 21, 2020, the cycle of violence that had plagued his family returned for Thalyl. He was shot in the shoulder in what was reported as a triple shooting in the 1800 block of West Tioga. Rushed into surgery, he suffered a massive stroke. For five days, he remained on life support until his family made the agonizing decision to let him go on March 26, 2020. His death marked another devastating blow for his mother, who had lost her only other child just eighteen months prior.
The investigation into the murder of Thalyl Taylor remains ongoing. To date, there have been no arrests made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his shooting. A reward of up to $20,000 has been offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for his death. The case remains a painful and unsolved chapter for a family that has endured an unimaginable amount of tragedy.
