By M. Weldon Copley
Staff writer

Updated June 30, 2008 11:37 a.m.

Friends and family of Tahliek Taliaferro gathered in the Tractor Supply parking lot on Route 60 last night. They were there to remember their friend and to be together. At about 6:15 p.m. the crowd began the trek to the neighborhood where Taliaferro was gunned down Tuesday.

The mourners’ numbers swelled and by 7:30 p.m. hundreds had formed a circle around the Taliaferro family, just 25 yards from the crime scene on Lock Gate Lane. 

Leaning on one another and with heads hung low, the crowd recited the Lord’s Prayer. Twenty four hours earlier six shots from an AK-47 ripped open a peaceful summer night. Now muffled sobs broke the quiet of early evening.

Two of Taliaferro’s coaches spoke about the young man they watched grow up and the joy that Taliaferro brought to everyone around him. Taliaferro’s best friend recounted holding him as he lay dying the day before, shot for inexplicable reasons.

Stephanie Reynolds, 19, Ethan Scott Parrish, 24, and Joey Parrish, 17, are suspected of committing the Tuesday night murder. They are still on the run and police say they should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on the case should contact the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office at 804-598-5656.

Prayer Service held Saturday night:
A Prayer Service was held at Little Zion Baptist Church, 5680 Cartersville Rd., in memory of Tahliek Taliaferro Saturday night at 7 p.m. Local ministers were on hand to speak with those in attendance.

Service to be held Monday
A service will be held Monday at noon at Powhatan High School. Grief counseling is now available through the high school, for more information call 598-5710.

Taliaferro Fund
A fund has been set up for the Taliaferro family at Central Virginia Bank. For more information, CVB 403-2070.

Related Stories:
Female suspect in teen’s shooting death turns self in
Shooting suspects sought

Photo Gallery: View Tahliek Taliaferro photo gallery