Charlotte Parents Sue School Board Over Son’s Fatal Shooting
Charlotte, N.C. — The parents of Nahzir Taylor have filed a lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education following the tragic death of their son, who was shot by another student in 2022 while getting off a school bus. This lawsuit comes two years after the incident, highlighting alleged negligence and failure to act on threats made against Taylor by staff members at Rocky River High School.
Incident Details
On November 30, 2022, Taylor, a 17-year-old student, was shot in the head after stepping off a school bus on Lanza Drive. According to the lawsuit filed in Mecklenburg County on November 27, 2024, school staff reportedly heard another student threaten to kill Taylor earlier that day but chose not to report the incident to law enforcement or inform Taylor’s family.
Allegations of Negligence
The lawsuit claims that the school’s personnel were aware of a troubling conflict between Taylor and the other student involved, identified as R.S., which included bullying and previous threats. Despite witnessing a fight in the cafeteria that day, staff members failed to escape the moment without mislabeling information. The lawsuit contends that a staff member falsely accused Taylor of participating in the fight, despite having no involvement.
The Threat
As the fight unfolded in the cafeteria, witnesses say a student made a threatening remark towards Taylor in front of school staff and other students. The suit asserts that this incident was recorded by the school’s security cameras and was reported to the school principal, Kwame Stith. Nevertheless, neither the principal nor any other school employee took steps to protect Taylor or inform his family regarding the threats, which the lawsuit claims is a clear failure of duty.
Consequences of Inaction
Had Taylor’s family been informed about the threat, they believe they could have taken precautionary measures, including picking him up from school that day. Instead, Taylor rode the bus home, only to find the student who had threatened him waiting for him at the bus stop. R.S. has since been charged with Taylor’s shooting.
Aftermath and Investigations
Witnesses reported that a group of teenagers appeared to be waiting for Taylor’s arrival at the bus stop. Security footage indicates that three individuals quickly fled in a vehicle shortly after the shooting occurred. In the aftermath of the tragedy, local law enforcement arrested two teenagers in connection with the incident.
Community Response
In the wake of Nahzir Taylor’s death, the community and school officials expressed deep sorrow. A representative from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) offered condolences and acknowledged the profound impact Taylor’s death will have on the school community. However, the CMS spokesperson stated that they could not comment on ongoing litigation.
Looking Ahead
The Taylor family is seeking justice through this lawsuit, emphasizing the need for schools to act responsibly when students are threatened. It raises significant questions about school safety protocols and the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure the well-being of their students.
This tragic incident has sparked a conversation in Charlotte and beyond about the importance of proactive measures when dealing with student safety and threats of violence, aiming for accountability and change that could prevent future tragedies.
