On January 20, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred at the Woodlake Village Apartments in Palm Bay, Florida, resulting in the deaths of three family members, including 79-year-old Stephen Suglam. Stephen, who was born on July 1, 1944, in St. Mary, Jamaica, was a respected patriarch of the Suglam family. He was shot and killed along with his daughter, 60-year-old Angella Suglam, and his granddaughter, 31-year-old Lisa Suglam.
The shooting took place around 9 p.m.
on Saturday when Palm Bay police responded to a disturbance call at the apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers found five people shot, with three fatally wounded. The victims included Stephen Suglam, Angella Suglam, and Lisa Suglam. Two other individuals, a 15-year-old nephew named Kamauri Curry and 59-year-old Gary Taylor, were also shot and survived, although Kamauri Curry was in critical condition.
The suspect in the shootings is 26-year-old Ta’Shawn Taylor, a relative of the victims who lived in the same apartment. Taylor was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder and two counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder. His family has stated that he suffers from schizophrenia and was not in his right mind at the time of the incident. Taylor appeared in court, showing signs of confusion, and his mental competency to stand trial has become a central issue in the case.
State prosecutors have filed a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty for Ta’Shawn Taylor, citing that the murders were committed in a "cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification." Taylor was indicted by a Brevard Grand Jury on February 20, 2024, on three counts of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, making him eligible for the death penalty.
The Suglam family was known for their close-knit bond and warmth, and the community is grappling with the unimaginable loss caused by this tragedy. Stephen Suglam, remembered as a pillar of strength and wisdom, was a source of guidance and love for his entire family. His death, along with those of his daughter and granddaughter, has left a profound impact on the family and the community.
