LaTanya Janelle McCoy, 24

Sacramento, California
January 02, 2000

Agencies: Sacramento County sheriff’s Department California | Sacramento Police Department California

Cause of death: Vehicular

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Last updated: almost 4 years ago

Overview

Stockton native LaTanya Janelle McCoy had dreams of becoming a sign-language interpreter so she could work with deaf children.

Those dreams were destroyed last weekend when McCoy died after a spectacular and violent car crash, the victim of a man police say had been on a murderous crime spree throughout the Central Valley. The mother of one died three days before she was to turn 25.

McCoy’s car was struck from behind by a car driven by parolee David Scott Daniels during a high-speed chase with police. She died in her car, which was engulfed in flames as police and Daniels engaged in a shootout in south Sacramento.

McCoy’s aunt watched the terrifying scene unfold from her apartment window.

Daniels, who was allegedly driving a car he stole at gunpoint in Stockton, was wanted by police in connection with a string of armed robberies, a slaying, and a shootout with Turlock police. During the Sacramento shootout, Daniels shot a police sergeant. Daniels also was shot.

Daniels remains hospitalized, and police would not comment on the case Sunday. It is unclear what charges he may face.

McCoy, the mother of an 18-month-old girl, was born and raised in a south Stockton neighborhood near the San Joaquin County fairgrounds. She attended Nightingale and August elementary schools, Webster Middle School and graduated in 1993 from Franklin High School.

“She was a fun-loving, outgoing, beautiful woman,” McCoy’s mother, Zepre Anderson-Thompson said. “She studied psychology and sign-language at (San Joaquin Delta College and wanted to be an interpreter working with children.

 

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