A Milwaukee man has been charged with killing 20-year-old Amaya Walls and shooting another woman after an alleged domestic violence incident, but remains at large, according to court records.
Timothy Taylor, 39, is accused of opening fire near the junction of 42nd Street and Good Hope Road on October 8. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and no booking photograph was immediately available.
Milwaukee shooting followed domestic violence report
Taylor faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of felony bail jumping and misdemeanor battery involving domestic abuse.
Prosecutors allege that Walls contacted Milwaukee police earlier that day after Taylor became aggressive while they were travelling in a vehicle. She told officers he had poured water and another drink over her at a petrol station before she left and obtained a lift back to the area of 42nd Street and Green Tree.
According to the criminal complaint, Taylor later returned to the property to retrieve his phone and then came back again, demanding money. While Walls was on the porch, he allegedly threw a glass pickle jar at her, cutting her arm.
Officers heard a telephone conversation between the pair while they were at the scene. Taylor allegedly threatened Walls, saying: “I’m going to shoot the house up and shoot you.”
During a risk assessment, Walls reportedly told police that Taylor had previously threatened to kill her, had choked her and either possessed a firearm or could readily obtain one.
Hours later, police were called to reports of two women being shot near 42nd Street and Good Hope Road. Walls was found unresponsive and died at the scene. The second victim, identified by her family as Walls’ 32-year-old aunt, was taken to hospital and later picked Taylor out of a photographic line-up.
Surveillance footage cited in the complaint allegedly shows the women walking along the pavement when Taylor arrived. Walls ran towards a house, banged on the door and shouted for him to get away, prosecutors said.
Taylor is then accused of following her up the steps, pointing a gun at her and shooting her three times at close range before shooting the other woman and fleeing.
Investigators were told by Taylor’s mother that he and Walls had a history of intense arguments. She also said Taylor had called her earlier that day simply to tell her he loved Walls, according to the complaint.
A relative of Walls, whose identity has not been disclosed because she fears retaliation, said the young woman had been trying to escape the relationship.
“Amaya wanted to get away. She was trying to get away, and he just wouldn’t let her,” the family member said.
Milwaukee police have said they are still looking for Taylor. No arrest had been made at the time of the report.
