Virginia rapper 23 Brazy pleads guilty to murder of 10-year-old
23 Brazy has pleaded guilty to the shooting death of a child. The Virginia rapper (real name Tashawnda Drayton) appeared in Southampton County Court on September 30th.
As well as second-degree murder, he also pleaded guilty to malicious wounding, attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied building, and use of a firearm in felony.
The rapper was on the run for 10 months before his arrest in June 2024, with police detaining him in an apartment in the town of Boykins.
Brazy was initially wanted for first-degree murder and firearms charges, in connection with the shooting that left 10-year-old La’Marj Holden dead and an adult male injured in Franklin, Virginia, on August 9th, 2023.
Almost a year later, he surrendered and was taken into custody after the US Marshals fugitive task force showed up at his relative’s apartment.
According to WTKR, Brazy and three others allegedly went to a man’s house in the 300 block of Artis Street. Police claim an argument broke out, which resulted in Brazy shooting the man.
Holden was also struck and died from his injuries in the hospital. However, the man was treated and released.
Following Brazy’s arrest, Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force Senior Inspector Robert Bowers said, “This complex investigation is another example of the tenacity and never-give-up attitude of Deputy US Marshals and our state and local law enforcement partners. It is my hope the efforts of the investigators in this case will provide a small amount of comfort to the family of the victim in this case.”
Franklin Police Chief Steve Patterson added, “I would like to thank the United States Marshals Service for their determination and dedication in this case.”