YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Devyonna Taylor, 22, appeared in Youngstown Municipal Court on Monday, facing a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of her girlfriend, Ahlycia Brown, over the weekend. Despite the serious charge, Taylor has maintained to police that she did not fire the shot that killed Brown in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Court records show that Magistrate Meghan Brundege set Taylor’s bond at $1 million during her initial appearance, which was conducted via video link from the Mahoning County Jail. If convicted of murder, Taylor faces a potential sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison.
The case stems from a tragic incident at the couple’s Tyrell Avenue apartment, where police were called at approximately 1:35 a.m. Saturday. According to investigators, Taylor herself dialed 911 after the shooting, reporting that Brown had been gravely injured. Responding officers and emergency medical crews arrived quickly and attempted life-saving measures, but Brown was pronounced dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Youngstown police detectives immediately began investigating the circumstances of the shooting. While Taylor has insisted during questioning that she did not pull the trigger, authorities determined there was sufficient evidence to charge her with Brown’s murder. Officials have not yet disclosed whether the firearm was recovered inside the residence or what additional forensic evidence has been collected.
Neighbors reported being startled awake by the sound of gunfire, followed by the arrival of multiple police cruisers and an ambulance. “It was just chaos,” said one resident who declined to give her name. “We saw the lights, the officers running in, and then we heard later that someone had died. It’s heartbreaking.”
The homicide has left Brown’s family and friends devastated. Loved ones described the 23-year-old as a vibrant, loving woman with a warm smile and an infectious personality. “She didn’t deserve this,” one family member shared through tears. “She had her whole life ahead of her.”
As investigators continue to gather evidence, prosecutors will review the case and present it to a grand jury, a process that will determine whether Taylor is formally indicted on the murder charge. Additional charges could also be considered depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The fatal shooting has renewed concern in Youngstown about domestic violence and intimate partner homicides. Advocacy groups note that such tragedies often occur in moments of heated conflict and urge anyone experiencing threats, abuse, or escalating disputes in their relationships to seek help before violence turns fatal.
For now, Taylor remains held in Mahoning County Jail pending her next court appearance. Meanwhile, Brown’s family is preparing to lay her to rest, asking the community to keep her memory alive and pray for strength during this painful time.
As the legal process moves forward, the case continues to raise questions — about what exactly unfolded in that Tyrell Avenue apartment early Saturday morning, and whether the truth behind Ahlycia Brown’s death will come fully to light in court.
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