An elementary school student died in December 2019 as a result of a gunshot wound. But according to Jeffrey Taylor’s parents, the 7-year-old told them about the bullying he’d experienced at his San Antonio, Texas school before the horrific incident. KENS-TV reported that Jermaine and LaKeisha Chaney now believe their son’s shooting death may be an unfortunate suicide due to the bullying he received, instead of an accidental gun firing as police suggest.
Taylor, who his family describes as a lover of God, late-night snacks and boxing, was apparently harboring a secret before he came to his family in late 2019. Claiming that several students hurled racial slurs and insulted him, the young boy appeared “broken” the day before he was found dead in the home, his mother told KENS-TV.
The 7-year-old was the only Black child in his class.
“It just seems like he just was being targeted and picked on. He was just that one person that stood out,” Taylor’s father told KENS-TV about his son. His mother recalls Taylor discussing the school bullying incidents with her after she noticed him looking extremely down.
“Why are you so sad? This is the last day of school? Shouldn’t you be happy? (It’s) Christmas break?” the concerned mother asked her son in December 2019, according to KENS-TV.
Taylor allegedly replied, “I should, but I’m not happy. I want to get away from that school. They don’t listen to me. They don’t like me.”
“No matter what I said to him that Friday, the day before, it wasn’t enough because he was already broken,” the grieving mother added.
Related Post: South African Teen Lufuno Mavhunga Commits Suicide After Video of Her Being Bullied Goes Viral
The following morning, Taylor’s family woke up to their worst nightmare. After a sibling alerted the parents that their brother “felt hard,” the Chaneys entered his room and found their young son dead, with dried blood on his face and a gun nearby, KENS-TV reported.
San Antonio police ruled the elementary school student’s death an accident, but due to the last conversation with their son, his parents believe that might not be the case.
“I’m not sure what to think because my baby told me he was tired. With that different voice,” Taylor’s mother stated about their previous talk with Taylor.
Trained gun owners, the Chaneys claim their children didn’t know about the firearm they kept in the house. His mother thinks he found the gun in a Bible case kept under a bed.
Our hearts go out to Taylor’s family as they continue to mourn the young son, brother and student.
