On a late September day in 2022, the life of 19-year-old Daron Fitzgerald of Darby, PA, was tragically cut short. The young man, a father to a son named Daron Jr., found himself in a Collingdale apartment on September 29th, where an argument with several other men escalated into a fatal confrontation.
Fitzgerald had arrived at the apartment with four friends, where they encountered three other men. An altercation broke out, and in the ensuing chaos, a 20-year-old from Folcroft named Makigh P. King produced a handgun and fired, striking Fitzgerald in the chest. In the exchange of gunfire, one of Fitzgerald’s friends, 19-year-old Samod Griffith, also discharged a firearm. Despite being rushed to Crozer Chester Medical Center, Daron Fitzgerald was pronounced dead at 5:39 p.m. A small silver handgun was later found under his body.
The investigation that followed led to the arrest of Makigh P. King. He was initially charged with first- and third-degree murder, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault, but later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, firearms offenses, and reckless endangerment. As a result of his plea deal, King was sentenced to three to six years in prison, with an additional five years of concurrent probation. The more serious charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.
Samod Griffith, the man who was with Fitzgerald and fired back at King, has also been charged with firearms offenses and is awaiting trial. The evidence collected from the scene included six 9mm fired casings near the kitchen doorway and on an outside deck, believed to be from King's weapon, and two. 25 caliber casings found inside a bedroom. The loss of Daron, who was remembered for his love of rapping, family, and playing with his son, has deeply impacted his loved ones.
