Clarence Taper, a 60-year-old Black male, was working as a pizza delivery driver for Buddy's Pizza on the night of September 15, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A husband, father, and grandfather, he was a certified welder who was delivering pizzas to supplement his income and provide for his family. That evening, what began as a routine delivery turned into a fatal encounter when he was shot and killed during an apparent robbery.
The incident unfolded in an apartment hallway where Taper
was attempting to deliver a pizza. Two cousins, 18-year-old Mekael Kennedy and 25-year-old D'Andre Kennedy, had placed the order with the intention of robbing the delivery driver. During the course of the robbery, Mekael Kennedy fatally shot Clarence Taper. The senselessness of the act was later lamented by family members who felt the assailants could have just taken the money.
Following the shooting, Milwaukee police launched an investigation which led to the arrest of both Mekael and D'Andre Kennedy. In the subsequent legal proceedings, Mekael Kennedy was convicted of felony murder and armed robbery for firing the gun that killed Taper. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison. His cousin, D'Andre Kennedy, received a sentence of nine months in jail in exchange for testifying against Mekael.
In the wake of their profound loss, Clarence Taper's family chose to honor his memory in a unique and joyful way. Described as a man who could make anyone laugh and a "joker," his family decided to open a comedy club in his name. "Uncle Clarence's Comedy Corner" was established to celebrate the laughter and light he brought into the lives of those around him, ensuring his legacy would be one of joy rather than sorrow.
