His family says he was a good student at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton. He played classical piano and basketball. But his short life ended when he was shot and killed by a mystery gunman.
Ta's bedroom is now his memorial. Dozens of pictures chronicaling his life from pee-wee football to prom, cover his bed.
"Real good kid real good kid. He would do anything for anybody," said his dad, Richard Rayford.
This weekend Richard and Sue Rayford will be celebrating Father's Day without their youngest son.
"Sometimes God takes loved ones from us before we expect it. But we have to trust in him," Richard said.
The loss is devastating for Ta's entire family, especially since police don't know who murdered the teen or why.
"That was a senseless loss for somebody to do that. It was pretty cowardly to shoot an unarmed child. People don't have any remorse for human life period," said Richard.
"I just wish they would turn themselves in before they hurt someone else, kill someone else," said Sue.
Ta was shot twice in his car in a quiet Trotwood neighborhood. 24 hours after the murder, and his family still can't believe it
"It's shock at first then sorrow and then it's lonliness because you miss him," Richard said.
The search is still on for suspects, so if you have any information, call police.