14-year-old Midlands basketball player killed in weekend shooting
A freshman basketball player and student at Gray Collegiate Academy was shot and killed over the weekend.
Tiquan Taylor, 14, of Irmo died at the scene of the Sunday morning shooting, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. Taylor died from a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Taylor played for Gray Collegiate’s junior varsity basketball team. He also played linebacker and safety on the JV football team.
Dion Bethea, who coaches the school’s varsity squad, said he received the news Sunday and has been heart broken and speechless.
“He was a great kid and it is so unfortunate with the stuff going on with guns,” Bethea said. “It is sad to see another young life taken. We are going to dedicate this game Friday to him as well.”
Gray Collegiate plays Carvers Bay at 5 p.m. Friday in the boys Class 2A state championship game.
The shooting occurred at 1510 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.
This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 11:43 AM with the headline "14-year-old Midlands basketball player killed in weekend shooting."