Southfield man sentenced after admitting to pushing teen girl out of car on I-94, shooting her in head in St. Clair Shores

(WWJ) — A Southfield man has been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for shooting and killing a 17-year-old girl, who was found dead on I-94 in St. Clair Shores in 2022.

Nathaniel Taylor, 22, pleaded no contest last month to second-degree murder and felony firearm in connection with the death of Taya Land.

Authorities have previously said Taylor had met Land online and met in person on Oct. 14, 2022.

After the two got into an argument, prosecutors say Taylor pushed her out of his car on I-94 near 9 Mile Road and shot her in the head three times with a 9mm handgun.

Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge James Biernat, Jr. on Wednesday sentenced Taylor to 17-50 years on the second-degree murrder conviction and two years to serve consecutively for the felony firearm conviction.

Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said the sentence “ensures the defendant is held accountable for this senseless loss of life.”

“I hope this will bring some closure to the family who have suffered a great tragedy,” Lucido said, per a press release.