In the late summer of 2020, the life of 22-year-old Dontae D. Taylor was tragically cut short by gun violence in Roanoke, Virginia. On the afternoon of September 11, Taylor was walking to a store with two other people when he was fatally shot. The incident left his family and friends mourning the loss of a young man who was a father to two young children, one of whom he did not have the chance to spend significant time with.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Roanoke Police
began an investigation and were actively searching for a suspect. They indicated that forensic evidence was collected which they hoped would eventually lead to the identification of the person responsible for Taylor's death. The community was left shaken by the brazen daytime shooting in what some described as a generally quiet neighborhood.
As years have passed, the case has remained unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Dontae D. Taylor. His family continues to publicly appeal for justice, gathering on the anniversary of his death to remember him and to keep his case in the public eye. They express the ongoing pain of not knowing who is responsible for taking his life and hold out hope that his killer will one day be brought to justice. The Roanoke Police Department has not released any new information regarding suspects or the ongoing investigation.
