On a warm summer evening in Boston, on August 20, 2017, the life of 30-year-old Black / African American woman Nakieka Kiki Taylor was tragically cut short. Just after 9:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Warren Gardens apartment complex in Roxbury, the sound of gunshots pierced the night, creating a scene of chaos as children playing outside ran for cover.
In the aftermath, Taylor was found on the ground, having been struck by a stray bullet.
Nakieka, who was affectionately known as Kiki, was a beloved figure in her community. She was described as a joyful person with a "smile of gold" who would do anything for anybody. Having grown up in Dorchester and Roxbury, she graduated from Hyde Park High School. She had worked as a security guard and later as a lifeguard at the Boys and Girls Club and city pools, a job she loved because she enjoyed saving lives. Known for her big heart, she had even nursed her brother back to health after he was seriously injured in a house fire. At the time of her death, she was working towards getting her GED and was excited about her future.
Her mother found her lying on the ground, struggling to breathe and unable to feel her side. Nakieka Taylor was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries. An autopsy revealed she had been shot in the stomach, which caused fatal internal bleeding.
In the wake of the shooting, Boston police detectives began an investigation, canvassing the area where the shots were believed to have originated. Witnesses reported seeing a man run away after the shooting, but no further description was available. Neighbors and friends expressed their shock and grief, with one suggesting that Taylor was not the intended target and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. To date, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Nakieka Kiki Taylor. Authorities have asked for anyone with information to come forward.
