Following a comprehensive manhunt by law enforcement, Derrion Taylor, an 18-year-old wanted for a series of violent crimes, was captured by the U.S. Marshals Service. Taylor, charged with First-Degree Murder, two counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, and two counts of Aggravated Assault, had been on the run since a shooting on Kendale Avenue in Memphis left a 93-year-old woman dead and two others critically injured. The incident, which occurred on January 17, 2024, was swiftly responded to by the Memphis Police Department, which later determined Taylor's involvement in the tragic event, according to a press release by the U.S. Marshals Service.
It was not until July 22, a year and a half after the shooting, that the juvenile petition for Taylor's arrest was issued. The U.S. Marshals' Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF), with its mission to quickly apprehend wanted individuals, was enlisted to rapidly locate and arrest the teen suspect. On July 24, before the sun even reached its zenith, they successfully tracked Taylor to a Memphis residence and managed to take him into custody without any further incident.
Geraldine Harris, the nonagenarian victim, had her life abruptly ended in the shooting, while the two other victims, whose names were not disclosed, were transported to a hospital with critical injuries. The task force, a multi-agency collaboration, effectively utilizes resources from an array of law enforcement agencies, including Deputy U.S. Marshals, local Sheriff’s Deputies, police officers from Memphis and Jackson, as well as special agents from the Tennessee Department of Corrections and officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since its inception in 2021, TRVFTF has been instrumental in the capture of over 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators, showcasing their unwavering commitment to community safety.
With Taylor now in custody, the focus turns to the judicial process and the hope for justice for the victims and their families. The capture also serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive violence that can, without warning, shatter the tranquility of our neighborhoods and towns. The collaborative efforts of the U.S. Marshals and partner agencies are crucial in addressing the gangrenous spread of such violent acts and ensuring that perpetrators are held to account for their actions.
