Jakolbi Kolbi Taylor was 16 when he was fatally shot on the early morning of July 20, 2024, near the 16th Avenue North beach access in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was visiting from Roanoke, Virginia, to play in a national basketball tournament. According to reports, an exchange of words after Taylor may have bumped into someone escalated when a larger group arrived; Taylor was shot multiple times while attempting to flee and was pronounced dead shortly after transport to a nearby hospital.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department opened an intensive investigation that resulted in several arrests. A 17-year-old was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Marcus Allen, 18, was charged with accessory before the fact to a felony and obstruction of justice. Gary Jaquise Abraham, 18, of Aiken was charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Taylor’s family said they believe additional people were involved beyond those arrested.

Jakolbi’s community in Roanoke remembered him as a dedicated student and a leader on the basketball court; hundreds attended his funeral. If anyone has information about the events that led to that July morning shooting, please come forward.