PALM BAY, Florida – A 26-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his mother, sister, and grandfather, and injuring two others, including his 15-year-old nephew, has been indicted by a Brevard grand jury. The indictment sets the stage for the state attorney’s office to determine whether to pursue the death penalty in the case as questions about the shooter’s mental competency continue to arise.
Ta’Shawn Taylor was formally charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the Jan. 20 shooting deaths of Lisa Suglam, 31, Angella Suglam, 60, and Stephen Suglam, 79, in the family’s Palm Bay home. Additionally, he was charged with two counts of attempted murder in the shootings of Kamauri Curry, 15, and Gary Taylor, 59.
The deadly shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 20. Taylor, armed with a laser-scoped handgun, entered the bedroom where his mother and two grandchildren were before firing several rounds. His nephew, Kamauri, was shot in the head but has since been weaned off the ventilator and is expected to undergo extensive physical therapy during his recovery.
After shooting his mother and nephew, Taylor went on to fatally shoot his grandfather and sister. Another witness, Gary Taylor, sustained a graze to the neck from one of the shots. The case is particularly troubling as it marks the third incident involving three or more homicides to have taken place in Brevard County since the beginning of 2023.
Just a week after the Jan. 20 shooting, another incident involving multiple homicides occurred. Police determined that Brandon Kapas killed his 79-year-old grandfather, a retired Catholic priest, and the priest’s sister. Ultimately, Kapas was shot and killed by police following a shootout in which he also wounded two officers.
These tragic incidents raise concerns about the mental health support available to individuals in the community and the potential warning signs that could have been missed. The impact of such events on the community and the families involved underscores the need for comprehensive and effective mental health and support services.