Family Asks For Public's Help Solving 2009 Murder Of Daughter
MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – The family of a victim who was gunned down by an AK-47 in 2009 is fighting for justice on behalf of their slain daughter.
Almost three years later, the family of Carol Taylor is appealing for the public's help in solving this crime.
Taylor was an Air Force Veteran who loved teaching. On the night of December 4, 2009, she was gunned down by a killer with an AK-47 assault rifle.
"My daughter was murdered at 8 o'clock," said Catherine Thomas, the victim's mother. "I didn't hear about it until 4 a.m. My husband and I were sleeping and I just started screaming because I couldn't do anything because my child was gone."
"I said 'Mom, please don't tell me, please don't tell me that,'" said Kevin Thomas, the victim's brother.
"We were in a state of shock," said Artex Thomas, the victim's father. "We lost a jewel; part of us was gone."
Taylor lost her life after leaving a friend's home in Miami Gardens where she had just finished getting her hair done.
Miami Gardens Police only have a limited description of the shooter and the leads are limited as well.
"The suspect was armed with a high-powered rifle," said Miami Gardens Police homicide detective David Noble. "The victim put her car into reverse and the suspect makes his way to the passenger side of Carol's vehicle and starts firing multiple shots."
"Ms. Taylor was hit unfortunately," said Noble. "She was hit with all the projectiles being fired into the passenger side of the car."
Noble said the suspect fled. Police described him as a "tall, thin black male who may have been wearing a dark-colored skully cap and white shirt."
The suspect may have been driving a red Pontiac G-6 or Grand Prix, police said.
"Any parent that has a child that 21 bullets were shot into her car, they would feel the same as me. I can't fathom my daughter not being with me," said Taylor's mother.
"My sister was such a beautiful, innocent person," said her brother Kevin Thomas.
"And to be shot with an AK-47 assault rifle in such a violent, senseless act."
Taylor's mother made a vow.
"If this person is caught, I will be in court every day. I want to look him in the face, look him in the eye and let him know what he's done to our life," Catherine Thomas said.
The story will be featured in an upcoming episode of "Crimestoppers Miami," which is broadcast at 10 p.m. every Saturday night on TV-33. The show is the latest weapon in the fight against crime in South Florida.
The story will also be featured at 11 p.m. on CBS4 in an installment of our "Fugitive Files."
In a re-enactment featured on the show, you see a gunman getting out of his vehicle, approaching Taylor's car and repeatedly firing at her, as police said the incident occurred.
It happened around 8:20 p.m. on December 4th, 2009 at the intersection of Northwest 38th Avenue and 170th Street, police said.
If you have any information about the incident, police are urging you to call (305) 424-1566 or Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-tips (8477). All tips will remain anonymous.
