Lawmaker asks Virginia State Police to help Myrtle Beach authorities investigate Jakolbi Taylor’s killing

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A Virginia lawmaker has asked state authorities there to help Myrtle Beach authorities in their investigation of Saturday’s killing of 16-year-old Jakolbi Taylor.

“The Virginia State Police has offered our resources to South Carolina authorities,” an official said. “We were advised if they needed resources that they didn’t have, they would reach out to us.”

The teenager was shot and killed at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday near a beach-access point at 16th Avenue N. and Ocean Boulevard. The rising basketball star from Roanoke, Virginia, attended Patrick Henry High School and was visiting Myrtle Beach with friends and family to play in an AAU basketball tournament.

Delegate Sam Rasoul on Wednesday said the Virginia State Police will offer to help in the investigation. So far, Myrtle Beach police have not named any suspects in Taylor’s death.

“What a tragic loss of a bright young soul in our community,” Rasoul said in a post on X, formerly Twitter . “We want to ensure that any resources we have here in Virginia to assist in the investigation are offered. Fortunately, the Virginia State Police have been responsive to this request and are reaching out to offer any assistance they can to South Carolina authorities.”

On Thursday, News13 obtained an incident report from Myrtle Beach police that indicated multiple suspects were seen running away toward the beach after the deadly shooting . The report said officers responded after getting a report of gunshots and began searching for the suspects after they ran away toward the beach.

The report did not provide any additional information about the investigation. Myrtle Beach police have not reported any arrests in connection with the case.

The investigation is continuing. Count on News13 for updates.

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Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13 . He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook , X, formerly Twitter , and read more of his work here .

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