Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander Jr. shared devastating news that his nephew was killed in a shooting in Florida.
In a January 6, 2025, post on X, Alexander wrote, “ Never been this crushed in my life,” linking to a CBS News Miami story about the tragedy.
According to CBS News Miami, 13-year-old Johvan Taylor was shot and killed in Florida City on Saturday, January 4. Another child was injured and hospitalized in the incident.
Johvan Taylor Turned 13 in November & Played Football
Taylor’s family told Local 10 News he had celebrated his 13th birthday in November and played football for the Florida City Razorbacks little league team.
“Just his personality, that smile, who he was as a person, very bold, outspoken, good child, good grades,” family friend Cheryl Walker said at a vigil. “He was over at my house every day. I just wish he came last night, you know. It would’ve been a different situation.”
Taylor’s aunt, Jakilah Brady, added, “I’m just confused, I’m in shock, I don’t believe it. I feel like it’s all a dream. I just want him to wake up. … He was so happy, he lived a good life. He did not deserve nothing that happened to him, so if you know anything, please speak up.”
Family and friends knew Taylor as “Woodah.”
“Woodah would do anything to help anybody, so if y’all can do anything to help him, please we as a family, we as friends, as everybody we need closure,” Brady told CBS Miami. “We want closure, we want justice.”
The Shooting Remains Under Investigation, Police Say
Florida City Police reported that shots were fired into a group of children, and Taylor and another victim were caught in the crossfire. Taylor was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center with critical injuries and later died, Local 10 News reported.
Brady told WSVN, “He was on the porch, he was eating, and that’s when, I guess, whoever did it just started shooting, and then he tried to run.”
The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. near Northwest 13th Street and Sixth Avenue, police said. The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. They encouraged anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.
“It’s not going to be all right until somebody speaks up, until we get justice, until we get the closure that we need for him,” Brady told WSVN. “Once again, he did not deserve that. He wasn’t that type of child for somebody to try to gun him down, murder him.”
Alexander’s Connection to Florida City
Alexander, a Florida City native, rejoined the Lions practice squad in December. He has had several stints in Detroit this season, appearing in three games with 17 snaps on special teams and recording 42 punt return yards.
Undrafted in 2020 after four years at Florida International University, Alexander first signed with the Lions during the 2022 preseason after playing for the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars.
