On the evening of February 25, 2023, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ahoskie Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, located within the Newmarket Shopping Center in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Upon arrival, officers discovered 21-year-old Ky'un Taylor of Kelford, North Carolina, slumped over in the driver's seat of a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Taylor was immediately transported to ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
In the days following the incident, the Ahoskie Police Department, in collaboration with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, conducted an intensive investigation that led to the arrest of two individuals. On March 3, 2023, a 16-year-old male juvenile from Colerain, North Carolina, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Taylor's death. The juvenile was placed in secured custody following the arrest.
Subsequently, on March 8, 2023, authorities arrested 18-year-old Martavious Nykeem Fennell-Laskey of Rich Square, North Carolina. Fennell-Laskey was also charged with first-degree murder related to the same incident. He was taken into custody and held without bond at the Hertford County Detention Center, with an initial court appearance scheduled shortly thereafter.
The arrests were the result of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and the community. Ahoskie Police Chief Jimmy Asbell expressed gratitude towards his staff, agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and community members who provided information that was instrumental in advancing the investigation. He extended thoughts and prayers to the families affected by the tragic event and to the community as a whole.
Funeral services for Ky'un "Cowboy" Taylor were held on March 5, 2023, at Beautiful Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Lewiston-Woodville, North Carolina. Taylor, born on March 14, 2001, was remembered by family and friends for his vibrant personality and the joy he brought to those around him. He is survived by his parents, David Louis Taylor Jr. and Mary Ellen Powell, his son, Karysn Taylor, and his girlfriend, MaKayla Spruill, among other relatives and friends.
The tragic death of Ky'un Taylor has had a profound impact on the Ahoskie community, prompting discussions about youth violence and the importance of community engagement in preventing such incidents. Law enforcement agencies continue to encourage residents to come forward with any information that may assist in ongoing investigations, emphasizing the collective responsibility in ensuring community safety.
