Salem man sentenced to two decades for Walmart shootout linked to drug trade
Salem, Virginia – A resident of Salem, Jeriwon Lee Taylor, aged 42, has been handed a two-decade long federal prison sentence in connection with a violent altercation that occurred in a Walmart parking lot during a methamphetamine deal in November 2021.
In May of 2023, Taylor pled guilty to the charges against him, which included distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and discharging as well as possessing a firearm in the advancement of a drug trafficking offense.
Court records indicate that on November 21, 2021, Taylor arranged a rendezvous with Kendall Simonton in a Walmart parking lot situated in Lynchburg with the intention to sell methamphetamine. Upon entering Taylor’s vehicle, however, Simonton allegedly brandished a firearm at Taylor and took the illicit substance.
After exiting the vehicle, Simonton commenced his departure from the location. Subsequently, Taylor also disembarked from his vehicle, armed with a firearm. A shootout ensued between the two individuals, with each taking cover behind various automobiles within the parking lot.
Eventually, Simonton fled the scene on foot, while Taylor escaped in his vehicle. Reflecting on the dangerous altercation, Lynchburg Police Chief, Ryan Zuidema, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of state and federal law enforcement entities in the investigation and prosecution of the case. He emphasized the gravity of the incident and its potential threat to innocent bystanders, reiterating the necessity of inter-agency cooperation and community partnership in ensuring a safer Lynchburg.
