MILWAUKEE, WI — A profound tragedy has shaken the Milwaukee community following the July 10, 2025, killing of 4-year-old Ralph Taylor III, who was fatally shot in what authorities describe as a horrific act of violence inside his family’s home. The devastating incident, unfolding at an apartment near 75th Street and Northridge Lakes Boulevard, has left residents grieving and reignited urgent conversations about child safety, domestic violence, and gun access.
According to authorities, Ralph Taylor, 35, the boy’s father, is accused of shooting his son in the head during a heated domestic dispute. The incident reportedly stemmed from an argument with his wife, Casandra Taylor, 33, the child’s mother, during which Ralph allegedly became enraged and broke her Chromebook. Prosecutors say Ralph then grabbed his 4-year-old son by the arm, took him to an upstairs bedroom, and locked the door. Moments later, a single gunshot was heard. When the door was eventually opened, Ralph Taylor III was found unresponsive in a pool of blood, with injuries indicating the firearm was discharged inside his mouth. Despite efforts by neighbors and first responders to perform CPR, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ralph Taylor initially told police he was on the phone when he heard a gunshot, claiming it came through an open third-story window. However, confronted with evidence and witness accounts, he later alleged the child found a gun under a pillow and accidentally shot himself—a claim contradicted by an autopsy revealing a deliberate act. A Glock Model 17 semi-automatic pistol, wrapped in plastic bags, was later recovered from a storage container in the home. Ralph, a convicted felon legally prohibited from possessing firearms, now faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held in Milwaukee County Jail, with his initial court appearance scheduled before Commissioner Barry Phillips.
Casandra Taylor, the boy’s mother, also faces serious charges, including neglecting a child with a consequence of death and straw purchasing a firearm—a federal offense involving buying a gun for someone prohibited from owning one. Court records reveal Casandra admitted to purchasing firearms for her husband despite knowing his felony status. After the shooting, she was seen on a neighbor’s Ring camera screaming, “My son, my son, somebody shot my son through the window!” She also handed a purse containing a gun to a neighbor, asking them to hide it, according to a search warrant. Casandra made her initial court appearance on July 14, with a $5,000 bond set, and is due back for a preliminary hearing on July 24.
The investigation uncovered a troubling history of domestic violence in the household. The victim’s 10-year-old stepbrother told detectives that Ralph Taylor had a pattern of physical and verbal abuse, particularly when under the influence of alcohol. The boy recounted threats by Ralph to “shoot up the entire house,” kill his mother, or harm himself. On the day of the shooting, Ralph allegedly woke up confrontational, accusing the 10-year-old of taking a PlayStation 4 gaming console, which escalated tensions in the home. Hours earlier, police had responded to a “trouble” call at the residence around 11:30 a.m., though the details of that incident remain unclear.
Neighbors described a chaotic and emotional scene following the shooting. Tangella Williams, a neighbor, recalled hearing a gunshot while her children played outside. She and others rushed into the home, finding Ralph holding his lifeless son. “We were all like calling 911, ‘Get here! Get here!’” Williams said. “We were trying to save him, but we couldn’t.” She remembered Ralph Taylor III as a sweet child who sometimes played with her own children, underscoring the community’s heartbreak over his loss.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and sorrow across Milwaukee, with a memorial of stuffed animals, flowers, and candles growing outside the family’s home. “This should never have happened,” said a local resident. “That little boy deserved protection, not harm.” Advocates for child safety and gun reform are calling for stricter enforcement of firearm laws, particularly in homes with known domestic violence risks. The case highlights the dangers of straw purchases and unsecured weapons, issues that advocates argue contributed to this preventable loss.
As the legal process unfolds, Milwaukee officials are urging those affected by domestic violence to seek help. Resources include the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and Milwaukee Child Protective Services at 414-220-SAFE. The community continues to mourn Ralph Taylor III, a young life cut short in an act of unthinkable violence. His memory serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for change to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Rest in peace, Ralph Taylor III. Your life mattered, and Milwaukee will not forget you.
