Satha Javae Taylor, a 39-year-old Black female, was fatally shot on June 7, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident that led to her death began unfolding shortly before 6:30 p.m. outside Merwin Liquors at the corner of West Broadway and North Lyndale Avenue. An altercation started after Taylor approached a man, later identified as Deandre W.L.
Craig, and accused him of stealing from her earlier.
Surveillance footage from the area showed that two other men had approached Craig, who appeared to be selling marijuana, just before Taylor confronted him. The situation quickly escalated when one of the men with Taylor pointed a gun at Craig. A struggle ensued, and a shot was fired as several people became involved. Following this initial confrontation, the fight started to break up, and Craig was seen backing away with an opportunity to leave the scene.
However, Craig did not leave. Instead, he reappeared and shot Satha Taylor in the head. She died at the scene. After shooting Taylor, Craig also fired at a 21-year-old man who was with her, striking him in the shoulder and other parts of his body. This man was reported to be in critical condition but survived his injuries.
Authorities identified Deandre W.L. Craig, then 27, as the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest, believing he had fled Minnesota. He was subsequently apprehended. Craig was charged with intentional second-degree murder and illegal possession of a gun. A jury later convicted him of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and illegal gun possession. For the killing of Satha Taylor, Deandre Craig was sentenced to more than 29 years in prison.
