To know him was to love him.

“Always happy, always smiling, ready for anything, any challenge,” said a close friend of Taianao. 

That’s how a close friend remembers Keo Reese Cruz Taianao, whose life was tragically taken in a shooting at the Guam Premier Outlets on Tuesday night.

To him, Keo was more than a friend. He was a brother in spirit, a godfather to his son, and a steady light in the lives of everyone who knew him.

 “He was his own person and his own vibe. He was the good vibe that everyone talks about—he was the definition of a good vibe,” added his close friend. “Even people who have never met him, or have met him for the first time, automatically knew off the bat—this is a good guy.”

Their bond was built on shared passions, serving together in the Guam Army National Guard, and riding with the Jeep enthusiast group, Guerrilla Battalion.

He says Keo’s warmth and authenticity drew people in, as his gift for making everyone feel seen formed genuine connections wherever he went.

“Keo had a special bond with every individual in the group. That’s how well diverse he was as a person. He connected with everyone individually—he wasn’t just, “oh, I’m Keo this is how I am–” he was I’m Keo I like to cook, I’m Keo I like to work on jeeps, I’m Keo I like the army,” said Taianao’s close friend. 

And while the group, and many in the community, are grieving deeply, they hope people will remember him for the joy he brought into the world.

“Keo was the kind of person that you want to have in your life because it makes living that much more enjoyable,” said the close friend. 

Meantime, the Guam National Guard issued this statement following Taianao’s passing: “We are grieving the loss of Sgt. Taianao, and we extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family. Keo was a respected soldier and a friend, and we will miss his presence.”

Separately, Brig. Gen. Mike Cruz addressed the members and families of the Guam Guard, directing a stand-down to “listen, learn, and commit ourselves to a culture that protects the values of our organization and provides resources for support.” 

In the internal memo, the adjutant general encouraged guard members to stop and reflect not just in grief, but in purpose.