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Southfield man charged in Detroit teen's murder

By , and Jack Nissen
Published  October 21, 2022 6:57am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

20-year-old Southfield man arraigned on murder charge in death of Detroit teen

Nathaniel Taylor of Southfield told police he shot 17-year-old Taya Land three times before she was found dead off of a highway in St. Clair Shores.

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Southfield man was arraigned on murder and felony firearm charges in the shooting death of a 17-year-old Detroit teen whose body was found on the side of the highway last week.

Nathaniel Taylor, 20 of Southfield, appeared in Macomb County court Friday after he was arrested by police, who said he admitted to shooting Taya Land in the head. Police also found pieces of the firearm used in the shooting, which had been dissembled after crime.

Taylor entered a not guilty plea and given a $2 million bond Friday morning.

Southfield man accused of pushing teen out of car, shooting her in head on I-94

A Southfield man was arraigned Friday after authorities allege he murdered a 17-year-old girl during an argument. Her body was found on I-94 in St. Clair Shores last week.

"There are people who are extremely concerned of their safety in the community. This man shot this 17-year-old child three times in the head, your honor. He also has a current warrant for reckless discharge of a firearm," said Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Stager. 

The charges come a week after Land's body was found in the culvert of I-94 near Eight Mile in St. Clair Shores. Her body was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Police believe she was killed around 3:45 a.m. after a call of shots fired came in near the location the body was discovered. 

According to a detective who was in court Friday, police connected the two incidents after using surveillance footage of a car believed to have been driven by Taylor and phone records. After they identified Taylor and interviewing him, he admitted to firing three separate rounds at the victim.

The firearm, a 9 mm, was located at the defendant's house where it had been taken apart.

Officials said the victim and Taylor met on an app. It is believed they had an argument when they met in person. Taylor is accused of pushing Land out of his car and shooting her in the head. 

MORE: Arrest made in 17-year-old found shot in the head on I-94 in St. Clair Shores

Family told FOX 2 they had been praying for justice in the case. Land leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter. A gofundme has been setup for the family. Find it here.