DAYTON, Ohio — Authorities have identified the five-year-old girl who was tragically killed in a shooting last week in Dayton. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that the young victim was Legaci Taylor, whose death has left her family and community devastated.
According to the Dayton Police Department, officers were called to the 3000 block of Nicholas Road around 9:20 p.m. on Friday after receiving reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they discovered that both a man and his daughter had been shot. Investigators later learned that the man had managed to call 911, telling dispatchers that he and his little girl had been hit by gunfire before the line went quiet.
Police say the shooting happened just moments after Taylor had been secured in her car seat. Her father, who was reportedly preparing to leave, was shot in the foot during the chaos. Despite his injury, he managed to remove his daughter from the vehicle and flee into the house for safety as bullets continued to strike around them.
“We are uncertain at what moment she was hit, whether it occurred inside the vehicle or not,” said Lieutenant Eric Sheldon of the Dayton Police Department. “What we do know is that gunfire erupted while she was seated in the vehicle and he was preparing to depart.”
Both victims were rushed to local hospitals, but despite the efforts of medical teams, Taylor succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving. Her father is expected to recover from his wounds. Authorities have not released information about any potential suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine what led to the deadly shooting.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Those who may have seen or heard anything related to the incident can contact Dayton Police at (937) 333-1232, or submit an anonymous tip to Miami Valley Crime Stoppers by calling (937) 222-STOP (7867) or visiting www.miamivalleycrimestoppers.com
. As investigators search for answers, the Dayton community continues to mourn the heartbreaking loss of a child whose life ended far too soon.