50 Facts About Breonna Taylor

Early Life and Aspirations

Breonna Taylor's story begins with her early years and dreams. Her life was filled with ambition and a desire to make a difference.

1. Breonna Taylor was born on June 5, 1993, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Tamika Palmer and Everette "Skeeter" Taylor.
2. She moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with her mother and younger sister, Ju'Niyah, in 2008.
3. Breonna attended Western High School in Louisville, where she was an honor roll student and enjoyed mathematics.
4. Her teachers described her as a natural leader who was compassionate toward others.
5. During high school, Breonna held various jobs, including working at a local Steak 'n Shake restaurant.
6. In 2011, Breonna attended the University of Kentucky for one year before returning to Louisville.
7. After her return, she focused on improving her credit score and buying a car and eventually a home.
8. From January to November 2016, Breonna worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
9. Her certification expired by 2018, but she continued working in healthcare, eventually becoming a PRN at Norton Hospital and an Emergency Room Technician at UofL Health (Jewish Hospital).
10. Breonna aspired to be a neonatal nurse and planned to enroll at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana in fall 2020.

Personal Life and Relationships

Breonna's personal life was filled with love and close relationships. She had a supportive family and a loving partner.

11. Breonna met Kenneth Walker while she was in high school.
12. Walker intended to propose to Breonna and had purchased an engagement ring, which his mother held for safekeeping.
13. At the time of her death, Breonna shared an apartment in south Louisville with her sister, Ju'Niyah Palmer.
14. Breonna's parents had a casual relationship when she was conceived.
15. Her father, Everette Taylor, had a significant number of children with other women and was sentenced to at least 45 years in prison for second-degree murder in 1998.
16. Breonna's mother, Tamika Palmer, raised her as a single parent and worked full-time as a nurse's aide caring for the elderly.
17. Breonna had several siblings, including Asia, Ateaonia, De'Andrea ("Dee Dee"), Everette III, and Shantelle.
18. Her sister Dee Dee is a graduate of Central Michigan University.
19. Ateaonia was born only two days after Breonna in the same hospital.
20. Breonna had a fondness for cars and was a proud owner of a 2019 Dodge Charger.

The Tragic Night

The events of March 13, 2020, changed everything. The police raid and subsequent shooting led to Breonna's untimely death.

21. The LMPD investigation targeted Jamarcus Glover and Adrian Walker, who were suspected of selling controlled substances from a drug house approximately 10 miles away from Breonna’s apartment.
22. Glover had used Breonna’s address and phone number for various purposes, including bank statements.
23. On March 12, 2020, a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge approved five search warrants for locations linked to Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover.
24. One of those locations belonged to Breonna Taylor.
25. Hours after the warrants were approved, officers arrived at Breonna’s apartment in the early morning of March 13, 2020.
26. They began pounding on the door, which led to Kenneth Walker firing a shot at what he believed were intruders.
27. The officers then used a battering ram to break in the door.
28. When the officers entered the apartment, they fired 32 rounds into the residence.
29. Mattingly, who was first through the door, was shot in the leg.
30. He and two other officers—Hankison and Cosgrove—then returned fire throughout the home.
31. Taylor was struck by five or six bullets in the hallway and pronounced dead at the scene.
32. Three LMPD officers—Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove—were involved in the shooting.
33. Mattingly was shot in the leg by Kenneth Walker’s gun, which was later determined to be a 9 mm pistol like Walker’s.
34. However, all officers were carrying 40-caliber guns.
35. Kenneth Walker, Breonna’s boyfriend, was inside the apartment with her when the officers knocked on the door.
36. He fired one shot at what he believed were intruders, which led to the officers returning fire.
37. Walker was uninjured during the incident.
38. An autopsy was conducted on Breonna Taylor, and her cause of death was determined to be homicide.
39. The death certificate also notes that she received five gunshot wounds to the body.
40. The coroner denied The Courier-Journal's request for a copy of the autopsy as of July 17, 2020.

Aftermath and Reactions

Breonna's death sparked widespread protests and calls for justice. The community and nation responded with outrage and demands for change.

41. The FBI’s Louisville office announced they were opening an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Breonna’s death on May 21, 2020.
42. The LMPD also announced it would require all sworn officers to wear body cameras and change how the department carries out search warrants in response to Taylor’s death.
43. Breonna’s death sparked national Black Lives Matter protests and placed a greater focus on how policing impacts Black women.
44. Locally, her death led to the passage of “Breonna’s Law,” banning no-knock warrants, and the hiring of a new interim Louisville police chief.
45. On September 23, 2020, a grand jury indicted former detective Brett Hankison on three charges of first-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly firing blindly into the apartment and endangering neighbors.
46. Two other officers who shot at Taylor—Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove—were not indicted.
47. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said they were justified in shooting out of self-defense because Taylor’s boyfriend fired first.
48. Breonna’s plight was taken up not only by demonstrators but also by celebrities like NBA star LeBron James and Oprah Winfrey, who put her on the cover of her namesake magazine.
49. In July 2020, protesters marched to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s front lawn, and 87 people were arrested for criminal trespass, among other charges.
50. On August 12, 2020, Cameron met with Taylor’s family for the first time, more than 150 days after Louisville Police killed her in her home.

Breonna Taylor's Lasting Impact

Breonna Taylor's story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for police reform and accountability. Her tragic death on March 13, 2020, ignited a national outcry, leading to significant changes like the banning of no-knock warrants in Louisville. Her life, filled with aspirations of becoming a neonatal nurse and dedication to healthcare, was cut short, but her legacy continues to inspire change. The community's response, from local protests to national celebrity support, underscores the widespread demand for justice. Breonna's family remains steadfast in their advocacy, ensuring her memory fuels ongoing efforts for systemic reform. Her case highlights the broader issues of police brutality and systemic racism, serving as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and action. Breonna Taylor's impact will be felt for years to come, as her story continues to drive the fight for a more just and equitable society.