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Police Find Car Sought In 7-Year-Old's Murder, No Arrests Yet

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A major break in the brazen murder of 7-year-old Taylor Hayes. 

A day after the second-grader died in the hospital, police say they've found the white Mercedes Benz they believe is connected to the shooting. 

"We found the white Mercedes that we've been looking for. Thank you to the public for helping with that. We still haven't been able to charge anyone with the murder of Taylor," Baltimore City Police spokesperson T.J. Smith said.

RELATED: Community Gathers Together For 7-Year-Old's Vigil

Police initially said they believed the driver of that Mercedes was one of the shooters but are not saying whether that person is in custody.

It was July 5 along Lyndhurst Street in Southwest Baltimore when gunfire erupted. A Honda Accord where little Taylor was sitting in the back, quickly turned into a crime scene, as she was hit in the back with a bullet. 

Multiple surgeries and countless hours of prayers weren't enough to save the 7-year-old. She died Thursday.

"Her mother is now planning a funeral. It's summer and parents are at the beach, at amusement parks doing fun things with their kids and this mother is planning a funeral" Smith said.

Darnell Holmes, the 33-year-old driver of the car Taylor was in, was arrested days ago on drug and gun charges.

On Friday, police said Malik Edison, who was a passenger in that same car, turned himself in. He faces gun charges. 

Despite both being in custody and questioned by detectives, police haven't been able to identify the killer. 

"To have a gun battle with a 7-year-old in the middle is unconscionable. We need to step up and not sit on the sidelines and take care of this violence," Mayor Catherine Pugh said.

Pugh sent out an e-mail to supporters Thursday, stressing that crime is down over the last year. She said murders are down 20 percent in the city. 

Authorities are pleading to the public for help, begging for someone to step up and deliver justice to little Taylor.

"We know that a number of people saw that shooting. As a child that's no longer with us, have some level of sympathy with respect to that. That child needs justice. Her family needs justice. We want you to come forward," Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle said.

Anyone with any information is urged to call police immediately. You can even text tips anonymously to Baltimore City Police at 443-902-4824. 

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