Kearon Deon Taylor, 16, Fatally Shot in Fort Worth Apartment Complex; Suspect Remains at Large as Police Investigate Possible Gambling-Related Dispute
Kearon Deon Taylor, 16, Fatally Shot in Fort Worth Apartment Complex; Suspect Remains at Large as Police Investigate Possible Gambling-Related Dispute
FORT WORTH, Texas – A quiet Wednesday evening in Fort Worth turned tragic when Kearon Deon Taylor, a 16-year-old boy, was shot and killed at an apartment complex in the city’s southern sector. Police say the teenager was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside an apartment unit in the 3800 block of Great Basin Lane. Despite efforts by emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have now launched a homicide investigation, and the suspect—who fled the area on foot—remains unidentified and at large.
A Tragic Discovery on Great Basin Lane
Fort Worth Police Department officers were dispatched to the location around 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night following a 911 call reporting gunfire and a potential shooting. Upon arrival at the scene—an apartment complex set amid rows of beige low-rise units—they discovered Taylor lying unresponsive inside a unit near the back of the property. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Responding officers immediately secured the scene while calling in medics, but Taylor was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter, and the apartment became the center of an unfolding investigation. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed his identity as Kearon Deon Taylor, age 16. An autopsy conducted Thursday morning revealed that his death was caused by multiple penetrating gunshot injuries, consistent with close-range firearm discharge.
Victim Profile: Kearon Deon Taylor
Kearon Taylor was described by neighbors and peers as a bright, outgoing teenager who was frequently seen around the complex, often talking with friends or walking home from school. Those who knew him were stunned by the news.
“He was just a kid,” said one neighbor who asked not to be named. “We’d see him playing basketball out front or hanging around with other teens. I never imagined something like this could happen right outside our doors.”
Local sources say Taylor attended a nearby high school, though his exact school and academic standing have not been disclosed out of privacy for his family. Friends who gathered at the scene Thursday morning placed candles, notes, and flowers in a small memorial near the apartment’s entrance, expressing grief and disbelief at the sudden loss of someone so young.
Incident Timeline and Details
According to police investigators, preliminary evidence and witness statements indicate that the events leading to the shooting may have originated outside the apartment complex, where Taylor and the suspect were possibly engaged in a gambling activity. It remains unclear whether this involved cards, dice, sports betting, or some other form of informal wagering, but investigators believe that an argument broke out during or after the gambling interaction.
“At some point, the situation escalated rapidly,” said Fort Worth Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Anthony Watson. “The suspect drew a weapon and fired multiple shots at Taylor. We believe Taylor attempted to run for cover, ultimately making it into the apartment unit where he collapsed.”
Surveillance footage from the complex—if available—has not been publicly released, but detectives are reviewing all available video, as well as interviewing residents and canvassing for additional witnesses.
Suspect Description and Search Efforts
As of now, police have not released a physical description or name of the suspect. Witnesses reportedly saw an unidentified male fleeing the scene on foot, though no further details have been confirmed. The individual’s relationship to Taylor, if any, remains under investigation.
“We’re asking the community to help us,” Sgt. Watson continued. “If you saw anything, heard anything, or know someone who may have been involved or has information—please come forward. Every detail helps.”
Fort Worth Police are urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact the Homicide Unit at (817) 392-4330, or to submit anonymous tips through Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-TIPS or via their online platform.
Community Reaction and Growing Concern
The incident has shocked many in the South Fort Worth area, a neighborhood already grappling with concerns over youth violence and gun-related crime. While the complex itself has not been noted as a particular hotspot, community activists say that incidents like Taylor’s death highlight a broader issue of gun access among teenagers and the risks of unsupervised confrontations.
“The reality is, too many of our kids are carrying guns, and too many of our disputes are ending in tragedy,” said Donna Hill, a local youth advocate and director of the Southside Peace Coalition. “This boy should be in class, not in a body bag. And now another family is mourning because conflict resolution has turned into gunfire.”
The coalition is organizing a community vigil and anti-violence forum this weekend, aimed at honoring Taylor’s life while calling for more preventive resources—especially those aimed at teens vulnerable to gang recruitment, school dropout, or the temptation of illicit gambling.
Law Enforcement Challenges
Detectives face multiple challenges in solving shootings involving juveniles, particularly in tight-knit communities where fear of retaliation or mistrust of law enforcement can discourage witnesses from speaking up. Additionally, with the suspect currently unidentified and no weapon recovered, the investigation hinges on forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and eyewitness cooperation.
Forensic teams were seen dusting for fingerprints and collecting shell casings and ballistic material from both the apartment interior and the surrounding grounds. Sources close to the investigation suggest that police are testing DNA samples found at the scene to determine whether they belong to the suspect.
“We’re pursuing every lead,” said one detective who asked not to be identified due to the active investigation. “We owe it to this young man and his family to find out what happened and who did this.”
Family Plea for Justice
At a brief gathering outside the apartment complex Thursday morning, family members of Kearon Taylor gathered in grief. While they declined to speak formally to reporters, one relative shared a short message on behalf of the family.
“He was a good boy. He didn’t deserve this. We want justice for Kearon.”
Supporters have since launched an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, and several local churches and youth programs have extended offers of grief counseling and support services to the family and nearby residents affected by the tragedy.
Larger Implications for Fort Worth
This homicide marks yet another in a growing list of youth-involved shootings in Fort Worth this year. According to public crime data, at least five homicides involving victims under 18 have occurred in the metro area since January, prompting both local and state officials to express concern and call for targeted interventions.
Mayor Mattie Parker issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying, “Our hearts are heavy with the news of Kearon Taylor’s death. Every life lost to gun violence is a tragedy, but the loss of a child is beyond heartbreaking. We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable, and we continue our work to make Fort Worth a safer place for all families.”
What Happens Next
As the community mourns and the police investigation intensifies, focus now shifts to identifying and apprehending the shooter. Officials stress that time is of the essence in gathering leads and ensuring that justice is served.
Investigators continue to process evidence from the scene, and further updates will be issued as developments occur. Until then, the residents of Great Basin Lane and beyond are left to grapple with the devastating reality that another young life has been cut short by senseless violence.
Anyone with information about the incident is strongly urged to contact the Fort Worth Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-TIPS. All tips can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story. Channel2 NOW will provide updates as more information becomes available.
