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Family seeks justice for 17-year-old Taya Land
Taya was found shot in the head on I-94 Friday morning. Two suspects were arrested Tuesday.
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (FOX 2) - Michigan State Police confirm that a suspect was arrested in connection to the homicide of 17-year-old Taya Land who was found on I-94 Friday morning.
Taya had a lot of life ahead of her; she has a one-year-old baby girl who will never know her mom.
"Just like throwing trash out, but she wasn't trash," said Shunice Spearman, Taya's cousin.
She saw the footage and the headlines on Friday. She learned it was Taya later that day.
"A person doesn't deserve to be killed. No matter what," Spearman said.
Days later, Michigan State Police haven't released many details surrounding her death.
Taya was found on I-94 Friday morning. She was initially said to have head trauma, but police later confirmed it was a gunshot.
Police believe she was shot to death around 3:45a.m. on Friday when a shots-fired call came in near I-94 and 8 Mile Road. Troopers arrived on the scene and discovered her body on the side of the freeway.
"I prayed all last night to God to bring justice," said Nicole Reed, Taya's aunt.
Her prayers were answered Tuesday morning when a break was made in the case. Two people were taken into custody after investigators served two search warrants in Southfield.
"It's not going to bring her back. Now that someone is in custody, hopefully, we can get the ball rolling to find out what happened," said Reed.
Her 1-year-old baby girl is now with family who says they will help raise her. The family wants people to remember Taya as a good mom who didn't do anything to deserve her fate.
"I just hope that whoever did this, you don't know how much hurt you have brought to this family," said Spearman.
There have been no charges yet against the suspect in custody, but it's expected to happen in the next couple of days.
The Michigan State Police Department says the investigation is ongoing.
Police had originally arrested two in connection to her murder but one was released from custody.