Jermaine Taylor allegedly became violent on a day that should’ve been dedicated to peace and honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
According to reports by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Taylor was apparently drunk when a family greeted him and asked him for a picture at the MLK Day parade in Little Rock. Taylor agreed to take the picture and gave Toya Smith’s three young children (ages 5, 3, and 1) his championship belt to hold.
However, her son almost tripped over the belt and Taylor thought the kid had dropped it. Taylor became angry and began yelling at the boys. Smith says he took out his gun and threatened to kill the boys.
Taylor then put the gun to Smith’s husband head and she pushed the gun away. A shot was fired into the air and Smith’s husband’s ear was injured.
Smith and her family attempted to leave, but Taylor followed them and continued to point the gun at them. Smith said she jumped in front of Taylor and pleaded with him not to shoot her kids.
They were able to get away, but Smith said her kids were traumatized by the experience and cried for the remainder of the night.
Taylor, who is the IBF middleweight champion, faces five counts of aggravated assault, three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and possession of marijuana.
Taylor posted a $50,000 bail.
