In the early afternoon of October 27, 2017, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet of the 2200 block of Hunter Place SE in Washington, D.C. When police officers arrived at the scene around 12:05 p.m., they discovered a young man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as 22-year-old Ernest Edwin Baylor Jr., a resident of Southeast Washington.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite all life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead.
Ernest, who was born on July 25, 1995, was remembered for his vibrant spirit and his infectious smile. He was a man who loved to make people laugh and was deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was the father of three young children, Ernest III, Earynn, and Evan. His loyalty and kind-hearted nature left a lasting impression on those who knew him. He had attended D.C. Public Schools and Catholic schools in the city, earning his high school diploma in 2013. Known for his passion for helping others, he had been employed at various restaurants, most recently at the Dacha Beer Garden.
The investigation into the shooting death of Ernest Edwin Baylor Jr. moved forward, and just over two weeks later, an arrest was made. On November 13, 2017, the Metropolitan Police Department took 28-year-old Talib Clay, also a resident of Southeast D.C., into custody. Clay was subsequently charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Baylor's death. While an arrest was made, authorities did not immediately release any information regarding a possible motive for the fatal shooting that cut short a young man's life.
