In the early hours of a cold February morning in 2014, the life of 24-year-old Mendy Gashier was tragically cut short in New York City. On February 23rd, she was discovered in a hallway of the Saint Nicholas Houses complex in Harlem, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and a cut on her face. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, her injuries proved fatal.
Investigators at the scene found a trail of blood that led them to a vacant apartment on the same floor, suggesting she may have been staying there.
For nearly five years, the case remained a painful open wound for her loved ones. Then, in February 2019, a significant breakthrough brought renewed hope for justice. Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Frank Brandon, a 32-year-old man from Gloversville, New York, also known by the street name 'Trizzy.' Authorities identified Brandon as a reputed member of the Milla Bloods gang and alleged that he had shot and killed Gashier in connection with his gang activities.
Brandon was taken into federal custody and faced a litany of serious charges, including murder in aid of racketeering and murder through the use of a firearm. The indictment also included charges for being a felon in possession of ammunition and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. He was arraigned in a Manhattan federal court where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against him. Following the arraignment, he was ordered to be held without bail as the legal proceedings against him commenced.
