side and Whitney had screamed at him. Did he lean out the window or anything and >> head out >> Leaned his head out. Okay. Now about what was he wearing a shirt or anything? >> I don't I don't >> Don't recall but a fedora like a fedora hat. Okay. >> [snorts] >> Um skinny built blue >> All of this with two guys. I keep thinking about that poor little girl. Were the kids in the car too? Why would he do that? >> Yeah, you'll probably never be able to answer that. >> I don't know that. >> You'll you'll never know what was going [snorts] through his mind or >> I won't either. >> Yeah. >> Who knows? >> I don't know. You know, it's just It's just >> It There's a lot of >> October 16th, 2016, Independence, Missouri. Gunfire breaks out at a quiet intersection and a young mother is left dying beside her minivan. Afterward, detectives question three people. A 16-year-old witness, a father facing questions about his own son, and the man accused of pulling the trigger. Their interviews offered different pieces of the story, including the argument over a thrown cup that ended in gunfire. But what each person says doesn't tell the whole story. >> We'll talk, okay? Can I get you anything? You don't want anything? >> Water would be great. >> Water would be great? Okay. One second, let me just grab one. Um >> It's a Detective Smedley. >> Oh, I'll we'll talk here in just a second. Why don't you grab one of the chairs right there? Um That's fine. That's fine. Can I get your information real quick? I just need to write a report real quick that I brought you up here. You're 16? >> Yeah. >> And your birthday? Guys, I'm sorry. We're here on this and my understanding is our victim is your sister and I apologize for that, okay? We are going to work very hard and we will find out who did this, okay? Um again, I'm Detective Schmeling and I kind of got thrown into this, actually. I was doing something else when they when they called. So, and I apologize. What was your sister's name? >> Whitney. >> Whitney? >> Gray. >> Spell Whitney for me. >> W H I T N E Y. >> And her [snorts] last name, Gray? >> G R A Y. >> You were with Whitney and that's your aunt, correct? Okay. Um and you were in her minivan. Um what were you guys doing this evening? Tell me a little bit about that. Tell me where you guys had been or where you were coming from, okay? >> We're coming from Price Chopper. >> Price Chopper there at 23rd and >> [snorts] >> Sterling? >> Yeah. >> So, you just left Price Chopper? Who is with you and Whitney? >> Just the two boys. >> Okay, two boys. Who are they? >> They're her 3-year-old and 8-month-old. >> Are they are how are they related to her but >> They're Whitney's children. >> Okay, they're Whitney's boys, okay? All right, so it's just you four, correct? Okay. Uh Whitney's driving the minivan, correct? You're in the front passenger seat? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Boys are in the back? Okay. Okay, so you just left Price Chopper. [snorts] You you get out onto Sterling there, okay? And you're and you're going north, okay? Okay. When you pull out of lot, any any issues with anyone? >> No. >> Okay. Um you pull out, [snorts] you're going north. What happens? >> Some guy starts getting real >> This is Whitney Gray's 16-year-old niece. She was sitting beside Whitney when a road rage confrontation turned deadly. Now, detectives need to hear what she saw and what happened in those moments before the shooting. >> Some guy starts getting real close to the car, so she gets mad, she brake checks him a little bit. >> Okay, so Whitney brake checks him. Because he's getting too close and when we say getting too close, he's he's tailgating you at that point. Did Did he come right up on you or was he there Did you guys >> notice it. I didn't >> Okay, so you you didn't even notice it at that point. Okay. Did she tell you someone was tailgating her? Did she make a comment? What was her comments? >> Someone ride my ass. >> And at that point, did you look back? Did you see who was >> I turned around, but >> Okay. What Could you tell what type of vehicle it was? >> I just saw it was white and a >> White? >> Could have been a SUV or a truck. >> Okay. Well, we'll get to that here in just a second, okay. So, it's tailgating you. You look back and see it's white. And your aunt had told you someone's riding my ass, okay. Um as you're and you're still driving northbound from 23rd Street from the Price Chopper there. What happens? I mean >> Uh we get up to a light. >> Okay. >> And he comes around and he's like parallel to us. >> Okay, so he's side by side. Okay, and I think that intersection we're talking about is there at Winner and Sterling. Okay, so do you come to [snorts] a stop at the light? >> Yeah. >> And he pulls alongside you, okay? And so he's on your passenger side. >> Yeah. >> What goes on at that point? Did you Was there any words exchanged? Did you >> She yelled, "I have kids in the car." And he leaned his head out and said, "I don't give a fuck." >> Okay, hang [clears throat] on 1 second. Okay, so you're in the front passenger seat. She's [clears throat] driving. Okay, so your window goes She rolled it down or was it already down? >> It was already down. >> Okay, so window's down [snorts] and she said I have kids in the car. The driver of this white vehicle said what? >> I don't remember. >> What happened from there? >> She told me to throw the drink at him and then pulled away. >> Okay, so Wendy told you to throw a drink at him. So what did you throw at him? >> Water. >> Was it a cup of water? And so you threw the water at him. Did it hit the truck? >> Yeah. >> No, I say truck. Hit the white vehicle. Okay, we'll get to that in a second. What happened then? What [snorts] do you recall? >> He started swerving over in front of us. And I don't remember anything else. >> Recall hearing anything? I mean >> it was just loud and that's it. Like >> When you say loud, what do you mean loud? >> bang, like a gunshot. >> Okay, so you heard a bang. When you heard this bang you think it was a gunshot. What happened in the car? What I mean, what what do you what's >> She couldn't drive and we were swerving, so I had to sit on her lap and drive and park the car. >> Did she tell you what happened? >> She just kept saying she's been shot. >> Okay. Did you see blood on her? I mean >> [snorts] >> where was she bleeding from? >> Her chest. >> Chest. So you physically got in the driver's seat. She's still sitting in the driver's seat and you're trying to maneuver the vehicle [snorts] and get it to stop. >> Yeah. >> As he was pulled up alongside of you. I say it's a he. [snorts] Um did you see the driver of the vehicle? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um describe him to [snorts] me. >> He was white. >> A white male? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Younger, older? >> Early 20s. >> Early 20s, so like 20 to 25? [snorts] Okay. Um >> He was kind of skinny. >> Look like he had skin a skinny build? >> Yeah, had blue eyes. >> And why do you say blue eyes? >> Cuz I saw them. >> Okay. They stood out to you. That's one thing [snorts] you noticed. Um anything else? What about hair color? >> He had a hat on. >> Had a hat? What What What did his hat look [snorts] like? Like a baseball cap? >> like a fedora. >> A fedora? So, it was like one of the hats that has a brim all the way around it. [snorts] >> Like a golfer's hat. >> What color was it? Okay, that's fine. Do you recall seeing any hair coming out from underneath the fedora? >> No. >> Um What about facial features? Mustache, beard, goatee? >> like he just shaved. >> Okay, so unshaven? So, when you were side by side and >> At first, sounds like a simple traffic dispute. Whitney's niece says a white vehicle was following them too closely prompting Whitney to react. Within moments, the situation would turn deadly. The teenager's account also gave detectives their first clues about the suspect. >> by side and Whitney had screamed [snorts] at him, did he lean out the window or anything and >> head out >> Leaned his head out. Okay. Now, about what was he wearing a shirt or anything? >> I don't I don't >> Don't recall, but a fedora like a fedora hat. Okay. >> [snorts] >> Um skinny build, blue eyes, unshaven, white male, um 20 to 25. Okay. Let me ask you this. If you saw him again, could you identify him, do you think? >> Yeah. >> Had you ever seen this person before? So, this was just a random act then. Never met him before. Never met the You didn't have any issues with anyone inside the [clears throat] Price Chopper or anything. Describe the vehicle that he was driving. You said it was white. You know, when he pulled up, what did you think it was? I mean, do you recall? >> I don't know. It could have been an SUV. >> Okay. Was it as big as the minivan? I mean >> Yeah, pretty even. >> Okay. So, it wasn't a passenger car then. So, you think it was possibly an SUV, maybe a truck? >> Yeah. >> Anything about that vehicle that you that stands out to you that you can think of? Was it dirty? Was there damage to the truck? Anything you know, anything on the side of the truck? >> Was it newer or was it older? >> Newer, older, anything? And that's fine. You had a lot going on and like I said, but that's probably the best description we've had so far of what this guy looks like. Anything else you can think of about the about the guy? Did you ever see the gun or anything? Never saw the gun. He didn't stick it out a window or anything like that. Right. You weren't looking when he shot. >> Where'd he shoot from? What angle was he at? Was he beside you, in front of you? >> Kind of in front of you. It's like swerving over into my lane. >> He like swerved over and shot back. Yeah, I think I My understanding is from what our witness is saying was that they were side by side. You guys were in the turn lane as if you were going to go west on Winner and he was in the center lane and as soon as the light turned, he started to go as soon as he moved forward, >> [snorts] >> I think that's when the shot came. So, I mean he had just started forward and fired the shot cuz I think it came through the passenger front passenger window and it must have hit Whitney from there. Anything else you can think of that I I need to know about? Okay. Um again uh I'm I'm sorry about everything. I wish >> Are there traffic cameras at the intersection? >> We're going to check on everything. I'll be honest with you, I doubt that there's cameras [snorts] at the intersection. Now, that doesn't mean that there's not some surveillance in >> And then the teenager describes what happened after Whitney was shot in the chest. With the vehicle still moving and two young children in the back, she tried to help Whitney while dealing with a terrifying situation. Now, detectives need to understand exactly what >> surveillance and at a business or something. >> Well, and that's one of the things we'll check out. We're we're going to >> The flower shop I know has it. >> Yeah, well, we're going to check everything. Um but like I said, um we'll definitely we'll get them. >> Okay. Um just have patience and we got a lot of detectives working on it right now. Um >> This is crazy. >> Yeah, it is. Yeah, it is. It absolutely is. This is >> It was a road race pretty much is what it was. >> Yeah, I agree. Okay. We'll let you get out of here and that way if you want to take her home or anything, okay? >> Yes, I will do. >> Um I appreciate you bringing her up. Again, I'm sorry for everything. Um if you need anything, don't hesitate to call up here, okay? Um we're going to go right >> To ensure This is James Taylor, Christopher Taylor's father. Detectives are now questioning him about the shooting that killed Whitney Gray, hoping he can shed some light on what happened and what he knows about his >> James voluntarily agrees to come to the station to speak with Detective Brashiers and Draveling. >> And he went to Lee Summit High School. Did he have any hangouts down there that he liked to go to? >> Yeah, he used to like to go to uh a uh bar out in Lee Summit and he didn't drink, but they had open mic and he'd play guitar and sing. >> Well, I said, we're just trying to get your brain going in different directions. >> Yeah. >> To think, you know, stir something up. >> Yeah. Yeah, let's see. >> Has he ever had any periods like this where he'll not answer the phone or is this unusual? >> Um he's he has had periods where he wouldn't answer the phone. Oh god. Never in a million years would I have thought this. You know, I just like I asked earlier, if you know, hopefully there's he won't ever know that I've I'm the one that turned him in or not turned him in, but gave up all this information. >> He didn't come over to your apartment last night or this morning or anything? >> No, I don't know. >> Does he have a key to your apartment? >> Yes, he does. I forgot about that. >> Do you think he'd go to your apartment? >> I don't know why he would. I mean, that'd be pretty risky. Wouldn't you think? Of course, you don't know what's Apparently, he wasn't thinking straight anyway. I know he knows that he probably thinks that he knows what I would do if I knew that, you know, he had done this. That I would turn him in. >> Do you think he >> I think he knows that. We knew that we needed to come here, you know, and tell you guys our suspicions. You know, but then, like I said, conflicting reports on TV. You know, one on Facebook said the guy was tall, had a long beard and long hair. Well, then, you know, immediately, you go, "Oh, well, that's not Chris." You know, >> That was in the process of us filtering out all the reports that we were getting >> All right. Yeah. >> and so forth. >> Yeah. >> Let me see if I find a bottle of water for you or anything. >> Yeah, that'd be great. >> Just hang tight and I'll be right back, okay? >> Okay. >> Hey, how are you? >> Okay, how are you? >> Good. I'm Sergeant Hal. It's Hal. Yeah, I just wanted to confirm. >> Hang on a second. >> Did you Did you find him? >> We haven't found him yet. >> Oh, okay. >> This is a uh surveillance video, but I wanted to make sure >> Oh, okay. >> Give me just a second. >> Oh god. Hello. Hi. No, okay. I'm at the police station. They came and got me. They came They came and got me. Questioning. Cuz I walked out to get my mail off and was met by seven three cops, four marshals, and an FBI agent. They just came in showed me a picture of him with the in the store. Yeah. I don't know. They just said, "Is this Is this your son?" I said, "Yeah." And uh you know, I told them everything I know. I No sense hiding it. So, anyway, and they they already knew where he lived. No, that's all right. I'll call you guys when I get home. Uh I had a call from my ex-wife. >> Yes, sir. >> I I went ahead and I answered it. >> Sure. >> Um you know, I told her where I was. >> Sure. >> You know, no sense lying about it. And told them that they were going to be have being questioned. They're going to be questioned. They're not going to run. She's just like I am. They have nothing to hide and they even know less than I do. >> You You're not under arrest or anything. >> Oh, I know. I know. >> You're here more as we view trying to help us locate your son. >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I know. >> My sergeant >> James Taylor is Christopher Taylor's father. Detectives are questioning him to find out what he knows about Whitney Gray's death and whether he can shed any light on his son's involvement. As they work through the details, James' answers may help investigators better understand what happened that day. >> My sergeant is showing you this. >> Yeah, I know. That's That's what I'm saying. I forgot that he wore that kind kind of of a hat. >> That's why I kind of asked you would you be willing to initial this and say this this is my son. This is >> Write out his name. >> Hopefully I can go without uh shaking too bad. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay. I'll We'll be back in just a few minutes. >> All right. >> Our goal is we want to talk to Chris. And we we want to get him here to talk to him, say All right. That's our That's our goal. >> I know that's your goal. >> Yes. >> Um >> But I'll tell you don't give your life up for him. And I'm serious. You know, he he knows he's been he he he's got to know that he that you're looking for. >> Yes, sir. >> You know, and whether or not he would just give up, I know. >> Okay. But I I I I appreciate your concern there. We're we're going to do everything to keep everybody safe. >> I I know you will. >> That that's our number one goal. >> Yeah. And believe me, I I well I'm I hope that I'm coming across as someone that really appreciates you guys. >> No, you are. >> Yeah. Um the you've shown a great lot of concern for us and everybody else >> just coming up here to talk to us. >> And we appreciate that greatly. >> Well, you're you're welcome. You know, I wish it was under different circumstances, but you know I told him years ago, man, that you get yourself in jail, I won't get you out. You got your you're there, you can get your yourself out. >> Yeah. >> You know, so he knew that he couldn't come to me. >> Yes, sir. >> You know, uh he can't go to his mom. And I'm being so honest with you guys. I keep thinking about that poor woman. Were the kids in the car, too? >> Yes, sir. >> Why would he do that? >> Yeah, you'll probably never be able to answer that. >> I don't know. >> You'll you'll never know what was going through his mind or I I won't either. >> Yeah. >> Who knows? >> I don't know. You know, it's just um it's just >> Yeah, there's a there's a lot of a lot of unanswered questions for us and everybody else. Yeah, so >> Right. That's what that's what we're hoping to figure out. So >> I was afraid of what I might find if I did was able to go in that first time. I was afraid I'd find him dead because he's he's always been so remorseful about anything, you know, hurting a little animal. >> Right. >> You know but people change. >> Yeah. >> And >> you don't know what his state mind was yesterday or or what was going on or what wasn't going on. Um >> I don't know, you know, for >> Are are you You going to be okay to get out of here? >> Yeah. I I think I'm going to be fine. >> At this time we don't have any more questions for you. Um you've helped us out a lot. Um giving us some things to work with. >> Yeah. I've been working since about uh 4:00 to 8:00 last night, so >> god, I'm sure exhausted. >> We're This is what we do. >> I know. I know those >> Um we're we're going to keep plugging away at this and hopefully hopefully the best case scenario comes out. >> I know. >> Okay. >> You know, it's it's so hard for me to to think that I have a son that's wanted for something like this. You know, >> He he's an adult. He's been an adult for a long time. Mr. Taylor. >> I know. If I I keep telling myself you know, that once he left the house I had no way of stopping what he what he did. >> Look at your daughter. >> Yeah. >> You raised her, right? >> Yeah. When he went into the service, he just he didn't have any any outlook ahead of him, you know, and then he went in the service and he really wanted to be in there. You know, that was one of the things that just astounded me that he wanted to go in. He enlisted. And uh we thought that >> That's an honorable thing to >> Yes. Yes. And then when he came out, he went right to work and so we thought everything was cool. They just don't they don't have a flashing light on them, do they? It says >> As detectives question James, they need to separate what he knows from what he may have heard from others. With his son Christopher accused in Whitney Gray's fatal shooting, his account could help clarify the events leading up to the gunfire. Investigators are now working to piece together what happened that day. >> I don't know what it says. I'm turning. You know, it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do is to sit and talk about my son like this. But, I wish to God that all these people whose sons are out killing other people would do it. They >> They could They could take a lesson from you. They really could. >> Well, I hope everyone thinks that, but >> I think anyone with with the right mind and a moral conscience and people that want to do the right thing, I think everybody will think that, sir. >> Yeah. I hope so. >> Investigators >> I didn't realize they had that much weight that they would sit there and You just get the downward pressure of them sitting there. Other than that, is everything going okay over there? Is everything going good over there? >> Yeah, everything's nice. >> Good. Good girl. Well, let me make sure I said my name is Detective Tolman. Um need to get your information. Um Christopher, do you go by Chris or Christopher? >> Chris. >> Chris. >> Legal name's Christopher, but >> Yeah. >> I said my name is Detective >> This is Christopher Taylor, accused of shooting Whitney Gray during a road rage confrontation. Now, detectives want his side of the story and answers about why he left Missouri after the shooting. >> I said my name is Detective Tolman. This is Investigator Andrews with the Sheriff's Department. Um You know, like I said earlier down there in the cell, we kind of want to talk to you and get your side of the story here. Um we got contacted by the different agency, obviously, and asked if we could try to make contact with you. And that's how, you know, we located you at the motel. So, we want to talk to you a little bit about that. >> Are you from originally from Missouri? >> Yes. >> Okay, born and raised there? >> Yes. >> Did you go to high school, college, or >> High school. >> High school, any college? >> A little bit. Didn't finish though. Didn't finish it. >> What school What college did you go to? >> Longview Community. >> It's just a small community college? What were you going to school for? >> Graphic design. >> What kind of work did you do? >> Construction. >> Like residential stuff, or commercial stuff, or >> Yeah, residential remodeling. >> Got you. Since you're obviously in custody, you're sitting there in the handcuffs, you're not free to take off and leave. We have to read you Miranda. Okay, that's part of that for what we have to do when you're in custody. Okay. I'll read you through these, and at the end we'll see we can talk to you about what happened. You have the continuing right to remain silent, and stop questioning at any time. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you. And you have the continuing right to consult with and have the presence of an attorney. And if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. I see you're shaking your head up and down. Yes, you understand all those rights? >> Yes. >> Okay. Keeping those in mind, those rights in mind, do you wish to waive them and speak to us now? >> I don't waive them. >> Based on that, I will speak to you. >> Okay. >> You know why we're here. You know what we're wanting to probably talk about. And we want We've got especially us, we've got one side of the story [clears throat] that was was given to us from law enforcement in Missouri. And kind of just a synopsis of the synopsis of what what they did as far as their investigation, and what they what they found out. And we want to see, you know, basically your side of the story and see where it you know, fits in with with their investigation. >> You seem like a pretty honest guy to me so far. >> You know, I and I'm hoping we can have just a good open discussion and and iron out all the details. The incident that we're investigating, obviously, was was a gal getting shot. And that happened on the 16th, so that'd have been Sunday evening. I'd like to go back to, say, Sunday morning. If you can recall back, you know, Sunday morning and kind of give us a a rundown of of what you did that day leading up to you know, this incident happening. And I'll just kind of leave it open to you to just kind of fill us in what your day was like. >> Drove into Lee's Summit to watch the Chiefs game. Watched the Chiefs game till about 3:00. And 6:00 6:15 left left there went straight to the grocery store, Hy-Vee in No Lunch in Independence. Got groceries. Went home. Went to the gas station, get some water. And went back home. Left again. Heading north on Sterling. And I'm sitting at the I'm sitting at the lights at 23rd Street and Sterling. There was a vehicle in front of me. I pulled over to the right. We were starting. The light turned green. We were going up the hill. And the car in front of me was going slow. And I was just in there waiting for them to speed up, but they didn't. So, I waited for somebody to clear off to the side and I sped up and went around them. I was going the speed limit. And right then the van started speeding up next to me and yelling at me. And I rolled down the window and she says "My kids are in the car." >> After tracking Christopher Taylor to South Dakota, investigators finally bring him into custody. But, they still need to know what led to the shooting and why he left Missouri afterward. Now, detectives sit down with Taylor to hear his account of what happened and find out what led to that deadly confrontation. >> have been in the car. And I said, "Okay, well, you can always do the speed limit." And I started to speed up. Well, they sped up too and whoever was in the passenger seat threw something at the car and with my training and everything, it was almost like reacting to contact. And it was instantaneous. It It didn't even think. It just happened. And I don't know why, but it was a negligent discharge without looking. So, I fully missed them making the shot, but God knows it just needed to happen. >> [clears throat] >> What happened after that? >> I freaked out. I couldn't [snorts] It was like >> [clears throat] >> I couldn't believe what had happened. >> [snorts] >> I panicked. I'm like, "Oh my god, what what what am I going to do?" I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't know what I was going to do. So I I didn't know what to do. I just hit the gas. I turned around, went back home, and I sat there. I'm like I'm stewing over this and I didn't know what the hell to do. I was so I was so scared. And I sat there and I sat there. I didn't know what had happened. All I knew was that I freaking negligently discharged my freaking firearm in the city limits. So I went home. I heard on the radio that someone was shot and killed and I freaked out. I couldn't believe it. >> [snorts] >> So I panicked. I started packing up all my stuff. Originally I was packing it just to freaking get it out and I'm like I didn't know what to do. So I put everything in this car and I just started driving. And here we are. >> You appear to be a guy that tries to do right. You're definitely a caring person. And and I don't think you meant to kill somebody here. >> I definitely didn't hurt anybody at all. >> And I can obviously tell you're really remorseful about the chain of events and what happened. >> Hey Chris, >> Yeah. >> you mentioned training. What's what's your background? >> Army. >> Army time? What did you do there? >> Uh it's what they do. Basic and AIT, but I had to get out for a financial hardship separation. >> Okay. >> Um No, I just training wise, you know, just like anything else, it's just tactical training is what we just like the police do, you know, and they react to contact. If maybe I didn't do it. Chris, I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but it was just natural. >> Yeah, it happened fast and >> But >> Let me ask you a question. Um I'm guessing you're talking with a handgun, was it? >> Yes. >> What kind of handgun? >> Uh it's a Smith & Wesson MP 40 caliber. >> 40 cal? >> Full size. >> Full size you know what I mean? >> 4 and 1/4 >> What else? >> So typically would you just I mean it would be an object in your car for protection, that kind of thing? >> Yeah, it's daily carry. >> Okay. So you carry it on your person or in the vehicle or either? >> In the vehicle. >> Okay. So like in that particular day, where would it usually be kept? >> Right next to me between the seat and the center console. >> Console. So not in it, but kind of in that crevice there. Yeah. >> Is it holstered up or Is it just sitting? >> So there's a holster there for you. Do you recognize anybody? One of anybody you knew or had run into or >> No. >> And you mentioned an object being thrown. Can you remember any details about that? >> It had water or something in it. >> Okay. >> But it was big whatever it was. So then it but bigger than this. Yeah. Cuz when it hit the it hit the side of the car and I instantly just reacted to it and >> Did you know it was a water jug hitting your car or did it did I it it happened like that. There's car Like I said, it was reaction to contact and it was just trained response muscle memory. >> You told me you have the gun in a holster between your seat and your console. At what point did that gun come out of it? Cuz you you couldn't have had a negligent discharge with it in the holster, correct? >> No. >> So it definitely came out of the holster. When did When did it come out? I'm I'm trying to get a good definition of negligent discharge. It >> I'm driving forward and something comes and hits the car. I always have my hand >> Mhm. >> right there. It's like we And as soon as it it's like that. >> Okay. >> out the window. >> Okay. So So when I say negligent discharge, when you say that to us, that's a guy in the range who's not paying attention to his gun and has his finger on the trigger and then puts one into the ground or in the ceiling or something like this. You're you're saying your reaction because of the of the contact was pull the gun, brought it over this direction and boom, it went off. It wasn't like an >> It wasn't an intentional It was what I said. It was a negligent discharge. I didn't pull the trigger on purpose. >> Okay. But Okay. You brought the gun out of the holster, that's all right, and swung it this direction. And I'm just guessing by your body positioning, did you even acquire sight picture? Anything like that? >> I didn't. >> Was the gun in one hand or both hands? >> One hand. Steering wheel >> Was it up over the top or under the steering? >> I don't know I can't do it, but >> Yeah. You over the top. Was your window down? >> Yes. >> Cuz they had you guys had exchanged some words. Were you meaning to display this gun to somebody, you know, like they're >> They were exchanging >> exchanging words or something like that, you don't know what they're at the point they're throwing stuff at you, is display this gun to back them off? >> Like I said, it was just reaction to to kind of It wasn't muscle memory. It wasn't anything other than that. >> Come on. >> two >> two >> Were you Were you in front of that vehicle, right next to the vehicle? >> Okay. Here's We got a couple of cell phone vehicles. This is driving this way. This is her vehicle, this is yours. >> Okay, so Here we are. >> Mhm. Let's say this is another another vehicle, okay? We'll use this as the water bottle. >> vehicle So, I'm here. That's the vehicle. I come around. I speed up and I'm going past her. >> Okay, so now we're here. >> Okay, so I've already gone. He speeds up. He comes up next to me and starts yelling at me. I roll down the window. He says, "Blah blah blah, my kids are in the car." And I said, "Well, you can at least go the speed limit." And I take off. >> Yeah. >> Well, then they speed up. They come up next to me and something hits the side of the car. And then it's automatic. >> Okay. So, based on the vehicle positioning, I'm assuming this girl was driving the car that you hit. >> Mhm. >> And how Do you think you went through their side window or their front windshield or the >> Just just finished. >> How do you think it got >> Okay, so and so throws it I accelerate at the same time to get away. And I'm coming around like that. So what? >> Do you shoot your handgun quite a bit? You shoot quite a bit? >> Right. >> Taylor claims the gun went off accidentally after something struck his vehicle. He says he drove home, then began packing and left after hearing about the fatal shooting. Detectives now need to determine whether his account matches the decisions he made after the incident. >> You ever had an accidental an accidental accident? >> Good question. >> Negligent discharge before? >> No. >> Practice and training, anything like that? What do you do to to prevent that, you know? What's the kind of the key firearm rule to prevent that? >> Keep your finger off the trigger. Off the trigger. >> Finger in the register. >> Um >> In your time with the army, did you ever have any combat experience, anything like that? >> Yes. Um >> How do you think your finger got onto the trigger? >> Just Uh-huh. >> You know? >> I just bring it out. >> Okay. >> I don't know. It was an accident. >> Okay. And you panicked after that. >> Say what please? >> Did it startle you when anything went off in the car? >> Yeah. >> Did you have to clean the car out after this, you know, you went home? You weren't in the house after you did you clean out your car, stuff like that? >> No. >> Did you Think the shell casing's probably inside your car then? >> No, I think it was outside the window. >> The handgun was outside the window. Okay. You didn't feel like that round was going to eject to your right, but it missed the window, huh? Didn't come back inside of your car? >> No. >> If you're hands out here like that, someone would have to drive it farther to the rear. >> The window was down from we exchanged words. >> Okay. What did you do with the gun? >> It's gone. >> It's gone. >> Tossed in the river. >> Okay. Where? Where in the river? You understand that's very important to find out. >> I know. That was It's in >> In what state? In Missouri? >> No. >> South Dakota? >> In South Dakota. >> You say river like Big River? >> Yes, Missouri River. >> Oh. >> Another reason I tossed it was cuz I couldn't stand the thought of having a firearm in my possession that took somebody's life. >> Right side, left side of the bridge? As you're crossing, do you remember? >> I would have crossed the bridge and came back. So, it's on the If you're coming from town, it's on the left side. The right side if you're heading into town. >> Do you happen to recall what you were wearing the night that this happened? >> Is that what I was wearing? >> What exactly were you wearing? Yeah, I got to realize it it was only Sunday evening, right, that this happened? You got here You recall what time you got here? >> What time did you >> in Rapid City? >> 6:00. >> 6:00, so not even not even 24 hours later. >> So, yeah. >> How long do you think you were at your place before you headed out? >> Well, I left there at 7:00 a.m. So, >> stayed at your house. Did you sleep at night at all or no? >> No, I um I couldn't sleep. >> Yeah. You ever have any other confrontations with people like this? >> Never. >> Never? >> Never even been in a fight. >> Any other things going on in your life that's kind of been been rough on you? >> No. >> Your dad was worried about you. >> Everything's good. That's the problem. It's You know what? Everything was good in my life. You know what's worse? >> [snorts] >> The family of that girl that I killed. >> [snorts] >> I'm going to have to live with that, man. >> [gasps] >> So, I thought that when I joined the army that I would be able to do the job. And it's a probably damn good thing that I didn't that I had to get out. I don't know how anybody could handle doing this. >> [snorts] >> We granted that in war it's justified, but what I did was >> Did you tell anybody else about what happened? >> No. >> Nobody that you can confide in? >> No. I just freaking panicked and then the [snorts] whole time I was driving out here, all I could think about was going back and turning myself in. Cuz there's no way you can run from that I don't even want [snorts] to try. >> Your dad had he went to uh your apartment, wherever you were staying, um after the detectives down there went and visited with them and he'd seen the news. And he'd seen a picture of the of your vehicle that they got from a a of a convenience store or whatever, and he was concerned about you know, that it was possibly you cuz you weren't answering your phone. Um were you just avoiding calls, or did you completely take your battery out? >> No, I didn't My phone was on the whole time, but when I left I took the battery out. >> Oh, what did you get the AR for? >> I've had it for a long, long time. >> Okay. Your dad thought it had been taken out of the apartment. Is it Did you take it when you loaded up to leave, or was it already in your car? >> I took anything that was worth a lot of value to me that I just loaded it up and just left. Were you >> thinking this stuff could be used for living off the land or something, or is this something that's got a value to it? Did you try to trade it in? >> Yeah, I was going to. Yeah. >> Or this is mine This is my value This is my stuff. >> Yeah, that's my stuff. It's what You know, I just I I love the outdoors. You know, I'm an It's just It's who I am, and I didn't want to leave it behind. >> And I think you're I think your honesty in this and you know, whether there's obviously going to be some debate whether it it's believed that this was negligent like you got a gun out of a holster up here and pulled the trigger it if that was an accident or or if you meant to crack around off, but no way in the world did I think I'd hit a car, let alone hit somebody, you know? a that's a one in a thousand shot, I think, if you're trying to make it. Um that's going to be debatable. But your honesty, I mean, this is a tough thing to be honest about. It's a tough thing for you to talk about. >> Um it's >> But the evidence the evidence that that they have, the witnesses, the things like that, you know, the actual fact of you're in this car, they're in that car, you ended up pointing a gun over and you shot at that stuff. There's There's all the evidence that backs that, okay? Your honesty is is the is in essence is the biggest tool on your behalf here. And I can tell you're you're remorseful about what happened. I believe you didn't mean whatever happened with the gun to hit somebody, let alone kill somebody. >> You asked a question a while ago um how you're going to be able to live with this. I think you need to understand that you're taking those steps to start that path. >> No. >> In being honest, you're at least facing Well, then trust me then. You may not think so. >> No, I can't I can't ever live with it. >> [sighs] >> I just think about what it is and what my feeling would be. >> Understand. >> What is it? >> And I'm not going to sit here and make some stupid statement like, you know, I understand what you're going >> Well, I can't ever get over it then. >> Maybe in the line of duty, it's different. Maybe you're protecting your life against some real threat. But this was This was just freaking reflex. It was muscle. I mean, I was close behind her cuz she was going so slow, but >> Right. But when you came around her, you guys were in a pretty average distance. >> Yeah. I mean, I got over to the lane completely before I started accelerating forward. >> Okay. And nothing exchanged between you two until she caught up that time. Yeah. Okay. And did she motion or gesture or give indications that that made you feel threatened at any point or >> No. >> Okay. >> Just listening to you talk to you talk about >> Detectives press Taylor for more details about how the gun went off and how it was pointed at the other vehicle. He maintains that the shooting was accidental, but then he admits he threw the gun into the Missouri River. Now, investigators need to understand why he got rid of the weapon instead of leaving it for them to find. >> talk about firearms and stuff like that. You read a lot of firearms magazines, watch any shows like that. You use some terminology that either tells me that you've got the training or you you at least got a interest in that area. >> knowledge of it. I mean, I would say it's it's what I like. >> Mhm. >> It's a joy. I have purpose. >> We probably won't have the opportunity to talk to you again. I don't know. I guess we could >> if there was follow-up questions that we had for you. >> First step of any possibility of it as being honest, boy, if you were to just hash this down and deny it, deny it, blame it away, you wouldn't have any chance. >> God will never forgive me. >> He does. He forgives. >> Mhm. Murder is an unforgivable sin. >> [snorts] >> Yes, it is. >> We may or may not cross paths again, but if you got some questions that that you want to talk to us again, you can sure ask. And just let the COs know over there. You kind of know the process what's going to happen from here for you as far as >> I just want to go back to Missouri. >> Yeah, I know. >> Anything else, Chris, you think we got to know? I mean, it's an opportunity to It's a conflict situation. Now, you get that. >> you everything. >> Okay. So, we're going to make our way back down there. Obviously, as we dig further into this stuff, communicate back and forth with the law enforcement back there in Missouri. And we end up with more questions and stuff like that that we want to ask you. >> Uh this is just more little details and not major major things. I mean, we really talked about the bulk of what we needed to yesterday. >> Since you're still in custody, um it's a different day. We've taken you back. We got to advise you of your rights again. It's a formality. Do you want to talk to us without an attorney? >> I will. >> Okay. I'm I'm going to need character witnesses, obviously, when this goes to court. And you can ask anybody that knows me that I'm a laid-back, you know, just easy-going, do anything for anybody. I'm not a crazy survivalist prepper. That's not who I am, but I do prepare. >> Yeah. >> So, you wouldn't define yourself as somebody that gets angry quickly over events? >> No. >> It I guess it would depend. I mean >> on what's going on? >> Yeah, I mean it's I can't say that I I wouldn't. But yeah, it really depends. I mean >> So all these character witnesses that they described Chris as hot-headed. >> No. Very calm, relaxed. I mean occasionally if I work it I get freaking mad like something isn't going to go right and I get mad. I mean I'll cuss but I don't act out in violence or anything like that. >> Something that the detectives back in Missouri were we're kind of curious about. We got a couple things we're curious about. Um I think I we kind of got an idea what you had done but you shaved you had more facial hair. Did you have a full-on beard or just a good >> stubble? >> Just stubble. Did you shave that before you headed back this way or >> I had it about a week before I left to come up here. >> You were at your house? That's what we thought cuz it the the stuff was in your car and there was no evidence in the motel room. Um after the shooting incident when you pulled the gun out the gun went off what was your what was your mind frame and your thoughts immediately right there after? >> I couldn't thought. I'll I'll go from as it's happening. Like I didn't mention it it felt just like reaction like muscle memory. Whatever what whatever was thrown at my vehicle startled me enough that I pressed on the gas and automatically just went like that. And as my hand came around my cuz I can't put my arm where I can't use cuffs on but and I'm just looking forward and and all the sudden it just wasn't anything but Okay, so getting into your question though. It's like it was just happening and like I didn't even freaking know what I was doing. It happened so fast and right after I would just freaked out it was I said to myself, "Oh god, what the did you just do? What the did you just do?" >> Did you think that you hit that car or think that you hit a person or was it "Holy [ __ ] the gun just went off"? >> "Holy [ __ ] the gun just went off." >> Okay. Did you see um anything that would lead you to believe that I hit that car or I was close to that car or I hit a person? >> I was looking I just driving. >> So you had no clue. At that point the gun goes off, you had no clue where that bullet went. >> No. No clue. >> When you got home, did you Did you see anything in your driving away and in the rearview mirror? Did you see that car do anything that led you to believe that "Oh crap, I wonder if I hit it or" >> I saw him pull over. >> How far did it go before it pulled over? >> I have no idea. >> Okay. I mean, it's the whole >> That whole time in when that happened was just like it was instantaneous in in my mind. >> Now, I don't know how to get to Rapid City from Missouri. What's the route you took when you You said you left at 7:00 yesterday morning. >> Maybe a little after 7:00. I don't know what time it was. >> What What way did you come to Rapid City? >> 29 to 90. >> And then over? >> [clears throat] >> Stop at any convenience stores or anything like that? Gas? >> Gas. >> Gas something like that. >> You said when you fired that shot it was holy you know more of a holy crap the gun went off. Didn't know if he hit the car, didn't know anything about it. When I think you touched on this yesterday but I want to get more clarification. When did you learn that she had hit the car Well, I mean more so hit a person and you know >> So, whenever I got home >> [snorts] >> sat around I don't know how long I was panicking just freaking freaking out. I didn't know what to do. I got on my phone and looked at the news. And that's when I saw the shooting in Independence. And I really started to figure but I wasn't sure what if anybody had died this is you know shooting. And then you know, I'm just getting my stuff together I guess. I know that I'm freaking I'm either going to freaking go to jail or Well, but I didn't start packing up all my clothes and everything that you know, it's not my place and it's a rental place and I can't leave this place this way. I can't leave that burden to my my dad or anything like that to give him try to take care of it. And then 7:00 >> Taylor says he never intended to hurt anyone but Whitney Gray is dead and detectives still need answers. His regret may be genuine but investigators must look beyond what he says now and examine what happened when the gun went off and why he chose to leave afterward. >> 7:00 in the morning or slightly there before whatever my alarm clock went off for work. And the announcement came over the radio that someone had died in that shooting. That's when I lost it. >> You were already you were already kind of in panic mode I was like I I I got to get out of here I got to you know before you even knew that you'd hit anybody or >> Yeah, okay. >> How do you try to explain to somebody what you're feeling when they've never gone through the same thing? How do you try to convey those feelings or how to how anybody feels we're all different. >> Mhm, yeah. >> But it to try to explain my mindset is it's like trying to explain how colors look to a color blind person. You know, it's they can hear what you're saying but they're not going to get an understand how you feel or what you think. The prosecution is going to use any type of little tiny thing in any way in my past or anything to try to paint me as someone that I'm not. Like that's why we were we were talking about the whole survival thing being labeled as uh a crazy prepper or something like that. That's That's what they're going to do to me. And that's not who I am. >> No, too. That your defense is going to have access to all the same stuff. Everything Everything that we have. >> But at the same time when stuff gets put out in the media >> Oh, I know. >> it becomes impossible for a fair trial. >> Yeah. >> It And we we deal with that here, too. Facebook is one of our greatest tools but it's one of our biggest enemies cuz when something bad happens with a law enforcement officer, it goes out and it's is the gospel truth. >> Yeah. >> And uh and we're labeled this, we're labeled that. Heck, you know, you see first hand down in Missouri what's going on. We know there's a lot We know there's problems. We know there's a lot of good cops but they're all We're dealing with stuff that that's happened down there, yeah. >> It's the same thing. >> It It can happen to anybody. >> Yep. >> But that's kind of what we're looking for the passcode for the phone for. It's a quicker, easier way to just access it. You don't have to hook it up and try to >> Can I wait on that for >> my lawyer? >> Mhm. Yep. And that's That'll be down the road. >> It's just a question that come up here when we're talking over notes. >> Well, I will grant them access. >> With my lawyer? >> They'll probably still go ahead and work on getting a search warrant. And uh if there's certain some certain phones they might be able to get access to without >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Of course they do. I mean Oh, they're they'll even Try to think we have >> I don't want to make this difficult. I just want to protect myself, you know. >> That's fine. No, that's perfectly fine. Um even if even if you said, "Hey, this is my passcode right here. This is how you're going to get into it." They're still going to go write the search warrant so a judge looks at it and says, "Yeah, it's reasonable. You guys got probable cause to want to check that phone out." And so then they would just have the passcode at that That's the reason, but just No, you can No, I mean you can talk to them and >> to learn about it. I don't want to learn about You know, cuz I've been I've been open about everything else. It just Digital technology is like It's a double-edged sword like anything. And I'm not hiding anything and I don't want anybody to think that I am. So, if it helps me out more to give it right now, I'll do it. But, I would still like to wait. >> That's That's cool. >> Until my >> I mean you're very reasonable to do that. >> I mean I mean we get this, you know? In our world, uh things like Google, we're just you're talking about this earlier on something else, but we love Google, but as a private citizen, you hate it. >> And so, in the end, Christopher Taylor was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Whitney Gray lost her life, leaving behind two young sons and a family forced to live with the consequences. What started as a road rage confrontation ended in a tragedy that no prison sentence could ever undo. >> It's It's big brother. Like you said, double life. I mean, it's good, but it's not good. So, now we get it. So. Um I would say right here was the point I threw it. I don't know. It's I don't know. I was traveling 35 mph. I don't know what the speed limit was on that bridge. Having that thing in my possession after what I did with that, I know it's it's freaking Now I know that it's attempting to destroy evidence and But, at the time, in my mind set, that wasn't the purpose. Yeah. That it was to try to rid myself of something >> That's reasonable, cuz you had plenty of opportunity before getting to this point. >> I would say there, and depending on river current, you could imagine at least 40 m. Search. >> Any in the magazine was still in it? >> No. The magazine is in the ammo can. >> Okay. It's one of those It's one of those magazines. >> Any chance you guys could be um Whenever we let's go down there and do all this stuff. Is there any chance you guys could be in you know, contact and explaining everything that we've talked about? >> You mean as far as court proceedings and stuff like that? >> Yeah. >> Uh we both discussed there's no doubt at some point we're going to get a subpoena to come down to Independence, Missouri, to test the sign car. I've told you all along that you've been honest. I appreciate that. I don't think you're some bad hardened criminal that's, you know, think think something bad happened and there's nobody can deny that. Even yourself, you don't deny that. So, yeah, we'll we'll go be in there and we'll be honest about our conversations. All right. >> What do you think really happened that night? Was Whitney Gray's shooting an accident, as Christopher Taylor claims, or do you think there's more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments. 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