Father of five shot and killed on Detroit's west side; police interview person of interest

DETROIT – Homicide detectives from the Detroit Police Department are investigating a deadly shooting Friday morning on the city's west side.

A 44-year-old father of five children was shot and killed outside of a house in the 17000 block of Huntington Road.

Sources said the victim, Anthony J. Taylor, Jr. was eating with his girlfriend at a restaurant and they left separately around 12:30 a.m. The pair continued to talk on the phone as they drove home.  The girlfriend told police she heard Taylor say "oh no" when Taylor got to his father's home on Huntington Road just north of McNichols Road, and then she heard gunshots.

Taylor's father was inside the home and also heard multiple gunshots. When he looked outside, his son was lying in the bushes. Taylor was gunned down at the front door.

“I tried to give him CPR and do what I could do,” the victim’s father, Anthony Taylor, Sr., said. “I called 911 but he was gone.”

Sources indicate that the shooter may be known to the victim.

Police have not released a description of the shooter at this time. A van that police believe may have been involved in the shooting was recovered nearby at McNichols and Edinborough roads.

“I want them to turn themselves in,” Taylor said. “I want them to know they killed a person who loves his children, he has five of them. He worked every day and took care of himself.”

Detroit police are interviewing a person of interest.

Taylor was a counselor at a rehabilitation facility.

Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for updates.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.