Evan Taylor Death,Obituary:Shepherd University Student Fatally Shot in Off-Campus Apartment, Suspect Charged with Murder
The Shepherdstown community is in mourning after the tragic death of a 19-year-old college student who was fatally shot early Friday morning in an off-campus apartment, a loss that has shaken both residents and the university campus.
Evan Taylor, a student at Shepherd University, was killed inside an apartment at University Heights on Hensel Drive. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 3:38 a.m. emergency call reporting a shooting. First responders found Taylor suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts.
Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Travis Smith, who fled on foot after the shooting. Through a coordinated response involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Smith was quickly located and taken into custody. Investigators recovered a loaded Glock handgun during the detention, which is now being held as evidence. Smith has since been charged with the murder of Evan Taylor.
Police said officers with Shepherd University Police used campus surveillance footage to track Smith as he moved across university property before entering a vehicle in a campus parking lot. Officials stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the university or surrounding community.
Taylor is being remembered as a bright, compassionate, and engaged young man whose presence left a lasting impression on friends and classmates. Those who knew him described him as kind, loyal, and deeply invested in his studies and campus life, with a future full of promise.
The tragedy has deeply affected Shepherdstown, prompting vigils, memorials, and an outpouring of support for Taylor’s family and loved ones. University officials have made counseling and mental health resources available to students and staff as the campus community processes the loss.
The investigation involved assistance from multiple agencies, including police departments from Charles Town, Ranson, and Shepherdstown, along with federal partners and emergency services. While the motive remains under investigation, the incident has reignited conversations about student safety and gun violence in close-knit college communities.
As Shepherdstown mourns, Evan Taylor is remembered not for the way his life ended, but for the compassion, energy, and connection he shared during his time with family, friends, and peers. His loss leaves an enduring void, felt deeply across the campus and the community he called home.
