Devastated family and friends struggle to comprehend the deadly violence that took Nathen Taylor's life. The former Army sergeant served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan only to return home to be gunned down for no reason at all.
"They don't know what they took from this family, they don't know the pain that they caused. They don't know. They'll never understand what they did to us," said the victim's sister, Kinnzie Taylor.
Family members said Nathen Taylor, 30, was an innocent victim of gang violence. They said the Antelope Valley college student was mistaken for someone else. The deadly gunfire erupted as he sat in his car early Saturday morning after visiting his brother in Lancaster.
Investigators said a group of men walked up to the car, and one of them fired several rounds into the vehicle. The victim was hit in the upper torso.
"He didn't deserve to have somebody walk up to him and take his life for nothing. You thought you knew who he was, but you had no clue. You didn't know who that man was," said Kinnzie Taylor.
The victim's family said he is not a gang member and has no gang ties. He was engaged to be married and leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter. His family said they cling to the hope that justice will prevail.
"I would hope that whoever did it or anybody who knows who did it that they will come forward, even if it's not because you care, but because it's the right thing to do," said Rachel Taylor, the victim's sister.
Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Callers also can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
