Milwaukee Tragedy: Parents Charged in Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Son

MILWAUKEE, WI — A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked a Milwaukee community after a 4-year-old boy, Ralph Taylor III, was fatally shot inside his family’s apartment on July 10, 2025. On Monday, July 14, 2025, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office filed grave charges against the boy’s parents, Ralph Taylor and Casandra Taylor, in connection with the child’s death, painting a troubling picture of negligence and criminal behavior.

**The Incident**

Milwaukee police responded to a shooting report at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at an apartment complex near 75th Street and Northridge Lakes Boulevard, close to the Glenbrook Apartment Homes. According to police reports, officers arrived to find 4-year-old Ralph Taylor III unresponsive in a third-floor bedroom, lying in a pool of blood. Despite a neighbor’s desperate attempts to perform CPR, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the preliminary manner of death as homicide.

**Charges Against the Parents**

Ralph Taylor, 34, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. As a convicted felon with a prior arrest record, including a 2023 conviction for resisting an officer tied to a domestic violence incident, Taylor was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. The homicide charge carries a mandatory life sentence if he is convicted.

Casandra Taylor, 33, has been charged with aiding and abetting a felon, related to her alleged role in providing firearms to Ralph Taylor despite his felony status. While initial reports suggested charges of child neglect resulting in death and straw purchasing of a firearm, the most recent information confirms only the aiding and abetting charge has been filed against her as of July 14, 2025. This felony charge could still lead to significant prison time.

**Conflicting Accounts and Evidence**

Ralph Taylor initially told police he was on the phone when he heard a single gunshot, claiming it came from outside and passed through an open third-story window into the boy’s bedroom. He denied having firearms in the home. However, neighbors and physical evidence quickly contradicted his story. Tangella Williams, a neighbor, recounted to media that she was outside with her children when the gunshot occurred and saw no external shooters, casting doubt on Taylor’s claim. Williams also reported that Casandra Taylor handed her a purse containing a handgun shortly after the shooting, which she turned over to police.

Witness accounts further complicated the narrative. A relative in the home at the time of the incident alleged that Ralph Taylor had been drinking heavily that day and had taken the 4-year-old, who reportedly had autism, upstairs before locking the door. Moments later, a single gunshot was heard. The relative also claimed Taylor made threatening statements earlier, including threats to “shoot everyone in the house.” Forensic evidence is still being analyzed, but police confirmed the recovery of a handgun from the scene, which is under investigation for its connection to the shooting.

**Community Response and Grief**

The death of Ralph Taylor III has left the Milwaukee community reeling. Neighbors described the boy as a “bubbly” and “sweet” child who rarely played outside but was cherished when he did. Tangella Williams, who attempted to save the boy, expressed profound sadness, noting the mother’s love for her children but emphasizing the tragedy’s impact. “All these innocent babies are just dying,” she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “They didn’t even get a chance to live their lives.”

Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, who represents the 9th District where the shooting occurred, issued a statement expressing devastation over the loss of such a young life. “These incidents shake our community to the core, and many are devastated by this most recent loss,” she said. “I, and many others, continue to be angry and frustrated by these incidents because they are wholly preventable.”

Community advocates, including David Sinclair of 414Life, have called for increased efforts to support families and promote gun safety. Milwaukee Children’s Services and victim support organizations are stepping in to assist the family as the investigation continues.

**A Broader Warning**

This tragic event underscores the dangers of illegal firearm possession, inadequate gun storage, and unaddressed domestic violence risks in homes with children. Authorities are urging gun owners to secure weapons properly and to heed warning signs of instability or potential violence. The case also highlights the severe consequences of straw purchasing, where individuals buy firearms for those legally prohibited from owning them.

**Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings**

Both Ralph and Casandra Taylor are in custody, with prosecutors expected to seek high bail amounts due to the severity of the charges and concerns for public safety. Further court proceedings, including arraignments, are anticipated later this week. The Milwaukee Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, and additional charges may be filed as more evidence, such as forensic and autopsy reports, becomes available.

This devastating loss serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible gun ownership and community vigilance to protect the most vulnerable, especially children, from preventable tragedies.

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