MILWAUKEE, WI — A devastating tragedy has shaken a Milwaukee community after a 4-year-old boy was fatally shot inside his family’s home last week. On Monday, prosecutors filed serious charges against the boy’s parents, Ralph Taylor and Casandra Taylor, in connection with the child’s death.
According to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Ralph Taylor has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon, while Casandra Taylor faces charges of neglecting a child with a consequence of death and straw purchasing of a firearm—knowingly buying a gun for someone prohibited from owning one.
Scene of the Tragedy
Police responded to reports of a child shot around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at an apartment near 75th Street and Northridge Lakes Boulevard in Milwaukee, close to the Glenbrook Apartment Homes. According to the criminal complaint, officers found the 4-year-old boy unresponsive, lying in a pool of blood just inside the doorway of a third-floor bedroom.
Despite the efforts of a neighbor who rushed in to administer CPR, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances of the shooting quickly raised suspicion among investigators, especially after statements made by Ralph Taylor appeared to contradict physical evidence and witness accounts.
Conflicting Statements and a Pattern of Deception
Initially, Ralph Taylor told police that he was on the phone with the mother of one of his other children when he heard a single gunshot. He claimed the shot came from outside and traveled through an open third-story window into the boy’s bedroom. He also insisted there were no firearms inside the home.
However, witnesses and later evidence strongly contradicted Taylor’s account.
According to the complaint, one of the boy’s relatives told police that shortly after the shooting, Ralph Taylor frantically said, “I got to hide my guns.” This statement, coupled with forensic evidence, quickly unraveled his story.
A key witness—the boy’s stepbrother—gave a chilling account: He said Ralph Taylor had been drinking throughout the day, and at some point, took the 4-year-old, who had autism, upstairs and locked the door. Moments later, a single gunshot rang out. The stepbrother also reported that Taylor had made threats earlier in the day, including saying he would “shoot everyone in the house.”
Gun Purchases and Legal Violations
Adding to the severity of the case, investigators uncovered text messages between Casandra Taylor and Ralph Taylor showing that Casandra had purchased firearms on Ralph’s behalf, despite knowing he was legally barred from owning or possessing guns due to a previous felony conviction.
According to the criminal complaint, Casandra Taylor admitted to the straw purchasing after being interviewed the following day. In several of the messages, Ralph had asked her to acquire firearms, a request she complied with on more than one occasion.
Charges and Legal Ramifications
The charges filed Monday paint a grim picture of negligence, violence, and criminal recklessness:
- Ralph Taylor, already a convicted felon, now faces first-degree intentional homicide, a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted. He also faces an additional charge for unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Casandra Taylor is charged with child neglect resulting in death, as well as unlawfully purchasing a firearm for a felon. Both charges are felonies and could result in lengthy prison time.
Both suspects are currently in custody, and prosecutors have indicated that they will seek high bail amounts given the seriousness of the allegations and the risk to public safety.
A Community in Mourning
The boy’s death has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and across the city. Community members have expressed outrage and heartbreak over what they describe as a preventable tragedy. Advocates for children’s welfare have called on city officials and law enforcement to do more to educate families about gun safety, especially in homes with children and individuals with criminal records.
Milwaukee Children’s Services and victim support organizations are expected to assist the family in the coming weeks as more details come to light.
A Cautionary Tale
This tragic incident serves as a powerful and painful reminder of the dangers posed by illegal gun ownership, domestic violence, and failure to properly secure firearms around children. Authorities continue to urge gun owners to store weapons safely and securely—and to never ignore warning signs of potential violence or instability in the home.
Further court proceedings are expected later this week, as both Ralph and Casandra Taylor await arraignment.
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