19-Year-Old Arrested for the Murder of Star Student-Athlete Kelvin “KJ” Taylor

A tragic incident took place in West Charleston on April 7, 2021, when 19-year-old Dekotis Thomas shot and killed Kelvin “KJ” Taylor, a beloved star student-athlete of the town. The Charleston Police Department initially struggled to find leads in the case but eventually identified Thomas as the suspect through surveillance footage. Thomas was arrested on July 8, 2021, thanks to the joint efforts of the United States Marshal Service, Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Akron Police Department.

The murder of Kelvin Taylor was recently featured on an episode of Investigation Discovery’s See No Evil titled “Fallen Star,” which aired on January 10, 2024. The episode delves into the events leading up to the drive-by shooting that claimed Taylor’s life and the subsequent investigation that followed.

Dekotis Thomas was apprehended at his home on Glendora Avenue in Akron, where he had been hiding. According to his defense attorney, Thomas had a difficult upbringing, growing up with 15 siblings and lacking direction in life. He was charged with the first-degree murder of Kelvin Taylor, along with two other counts. It was later discovered that Thomas had also been indicted for the unsolved murder of Antwan Curnell in October 2019.

During the arrest, Thomas set his house on fire and threw an item resembling a Molotov cocktail at officers. After a two-hour standoff, he surrendered to law enforcement. Following his arrest, Thomas entered a Kennedy plea in August 2022, which means he did not admit guilt but acknowledged that there was enough evidence for a conviction. As part of the plea agreement, the seven other charges related to the two murders were dropped, and Thomas was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by Judge Joanna Tabit.

Dekotis Thomas is currently incarcerated at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex, according to records from the West Virginia Department of Corrections.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of community cooperation in solving crimes. The loss of Kelvin “KJ” Taylor, a promising young athlete, has left the town of West Charleston mourning and seeking justice.