19-year-old Detroit woman, Lakylia Taylor, insists she acted to save her brother’s life, yet she now faces a $2.5 million bond and serious charges after a deadly shooting in a busy Eastpointe parking lot. The incident, which unfolded on May 3, 2025, left two men dead and two others injured, including Taylor’s own brother. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Taylor claims she doesn’t deserve to be locked up, sparking heated debate about self-defense, justice, and the steep bond she faces.
The shooting took place outside a Foot Locker at the bustling corner of Kelly Road and Eight Mile Road in Eastpointe, a quieter suburb of Detroit. According to court records, Lakylia and her 21-year-old brother, Dejuan Taylor, arrived at the parking lot and approached a Jeep Compass carrying four men, including Tyjaune Pierre Morris-Turner, Juvan Maurice Newman, and Steven Edward Gardin Jr. An argument between Dejuan and Morris-Turner, who reportedly had prior tensions, quickly turned physical. Prosecutors say Morris-Turner pistol-whipped Dejuan, and Newman and Gardin Jr. joined in, pinning him down.
Lakylia, witnessing her brother under attack, grabbed an unregistered gun from her vehicle. She returned and opened fire, killing Newman and Gardin Jr. and wounding Morris-Turner. Tragically, she also accidentally shot her brother during the chaos. Authorities say she fired multiple shots, with social media posts claiming some were headshots, though official reports don’t confirm this detail. After the shooting, Dejuan allegedly took Morris-Turner’s gun and magazines before the siblings fled the scene.
Taylor turned herself in to the Eastpointe Police Department two days later, on May 5, 2025, after her attorney arranged the surrender. She now faces charges of second-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, tampering with evidence, carrying a concealed weapon, and two counts of felony firearm. Her bond, set at $2.5 million cash with no 10% option, has drawn criticism from supporters who argue it’s excessive for a young woman with no prior criminal record. If released, she must wear a GPS tether. Dejuan faces related charges, including tampering with evidence and firearms larceny, with a $250,000 bond.
In her social media statement, Taylor, who says she’s now 20, expressed gratitude for the support she’s received while detained.
“Being away from my family and loved ones has made a big difference in my life,”
She said, adding that the encouragement keeps her going. She’s asking for donations to a GoFundMe campaign and mentioned a support page offering a $10,000 gift card, though its legitimacy remains unverified.
“I’ll be home soon,”
She declared, signaling hope in her legal fight.
Her attorney, Randall Upshaw, argues the shooting was self-defense. He claims video evidence from the Foot Locker’s security cameras shows Dejuan fighting to stop Morris-Turner from shooting him, and Lakylia acted to protect her brother’s life. Notably, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office did not charge her for Newman’s death, suggesting they view it as a lawful act of defense. However, prosecutors argue Lakylia went too far, citing footage that allegedly shows her firing at a victim on the ground at close range. Assistant Prosecutor Kumar Palepu emphasized the danger to the public, given the crowded retail setting.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido called the incident “senseless violence” and stressed that “street justice is never permissible,” even if self-defense is legally allowed. Eastpointe police noted the fortune that no bystanders were harmed in the busy parking lot. Local residents, shaken by the violence in their community, are left questioning safety in everyday spaces.
The case has sparked polarized reactions online. Some support Taylor, arguing she protected her brother from a brutal attack, while others back the prosecution, pointing to the deadly outcome and public risk. As the legal battle unfolds, with court dates set for May 20 and May 27, 2025, in the 38th District Court, the security footage will likely be key in determining whether Taylor’s actions were justified or excessive.
