Family and friends are mourning the tragic loss of James Arland Taylor, who was shot and killed on Wednesday morning after his neighbor confronted him about his cat.
Taylor’s older sister, Ruby, posted the following memorial photo of Taylor through social media:
“Prayers going out to my boys and their family,” said Patricia Odle, the mother of Taylor’s sons, in a social media post.
Dozens of friends have left condolences and well-wishes for Taylor’s family members through social media.
Taylor, who shared a name with his father and one of his sons, had been staying with family at a residence in Umatilla. He was 41 years old.
He was allegedly shot and killed by his neighbor, Clifton Bliss, after an argument about Taylor’s cat crossing onto Bliss’ property.
Bliss alleges that he shot Taylor in self-defense. His wife, who was at work at the time, was called back to the scene by Bliss and attempted to unsuccessfully corroborate his story to authorities.
According to a report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses in the neighborhood say that Bliss had previously confronted multiple neighbors regarding their cats and dogs. One witness said Bliss always carried a firearm with him during these confrontations.