Police have arrested the sixth gunman involved in the Roxborough High shooting.
The recent arrest of Zaakir McClendon, aged 20, marks a pivotal development in the three-year investigation into the Roxborough High School shooting that resulted in the death of 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde and injuries to four other teenagers. Law enforcement agencies announced McClendon is in custody and set to face charges including murder, aggravated assault, and related offenses. This follows the accumulation of new forensic and cell phone evidence that positions him at the shooting scene, which took place in September 2022.
On that fateful day, members of Roxborough High’s junior varsity football team were transitioning to their locker room after a practice session when five individuals emerged from a vehicle, unleashing more than 60 gunshots directed at the group. According to police reports, the assailants appeared to be targeting a specific individual associated with the scrimmage or a nearby teen who was not involved in the altercation.
The five shooters fled the scene in a green Ford Explorer, a vehicle believed to have been operated by a sixth individual. Investigators have identified McClendon as one of those assailants. Elizalde was struck in the chest by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, as his mother rushed to his side in a devastating scene.
In the months following the shooting, law enforcement arrested five suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 21. This group included individuals who have since pleaded guilty and received lengthy prison sentences, while three others are scheduled to go to trial this fall. Throughout the proceedings, Elizalde’s family has expressed their deep desire for answers and accountability, urging those involved to disclose the identities of all shooters to facilitate their healing process.
The breakthrough leading to McClendon’s arrest came from a combination of DNA evidence collected from a cartridge casing at the shooting scene and cell phone records obtained during an earlier illegal gun possession charge against him in October 2023. Once processed, McClendon’s DNA matched the evidence from the Roxborough shooting.
Furthermore, investigations revealed communications between McClendon and other suspects discussing the incident, uncovering a prior conflict that provided context for the violence. It is important to note that Nicolas Elizalde had no connection to this conflict and was tragically an unintended victim caught in the crossfire.
As the legal proceedings progress, Elizalde’s mother reflects on the ongoing tragedy of losing her son, who had dreams of attending UCLA before he was taken from her. The anticipation of another trial brings her little solace, further underscoring the profound impact of gun violence on families and communities.
This latest arrest closes a significant chapter in a case that has had lingering implications for the entire Philadelphia community. Law enforcement continues to prioritize solving such cases, aiming to prevent further tragedies and bring justice to victims and their families.
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