Walk to honor 13-year-old boy fatally shot 1 year ago held in Florida City
It’s been one year since a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed while hanging out with friends in Florida City, and his family held a walk on Sunday to remember his life.
Johvon Taylor was shot on Jan. 4, 2025, on the 1300 block of Northwest Sixth Avenue.
One year after his death, one person has been arrested and charged for the teen’s murder, but the family believes others may have been involved.
It was an emotional day for Taylor’s family, and they said the pain is still fresh.
Walking through the streets of Florida City, dozens of family members and friends dressed in sky-blue to remember the life of Taylor, who was known to many as “Woodahblack.”
“Funny, he was happy,” said Taylor’s mother, Maurkevia Morrison. “My baby was always happy.”
Police believe the teen wasn’t the intended target.
“My son was no street boy,” she said. “He was no gang banger. He was just a big boy.”
About two weeks after the shooting, police arrested 23-year-old Tyler Manyou.
Taylor’s family said they believe others were involved and want them to be caught.
“If you know something, say something, please,” said Taylor’s grandmother. “We just want justice for Woodah. It’s us today. It could be y’all tomorrow.”
The anniversary of the teen’s murder comes just days after two back-to-back shootings in Florida City.
This first one happened on Tuesday morning near Northwest 14th Street and Second Avenue and was caught on Facebook Live.
One of the victims in that shooting, Carl Melvin, was killed.
Then, just a few blocks away on New Year’s Day, another man was shot outside of a home near Northwest 16th Street and Fifth Avenue.
“All three shootings in the same little area,” said Taylor’s grandmother.
City leaders said more must be done to prevent future shootings.
“We as a commission have to go back in and look at it and see what we can do for the families, and see what we can do for the city,” an official said.
There have not been any arrests in the two most recent shootings.
