Darnell Steven Brown, a 41-year-old African American man from Washington, Pennsylvania, tragically lost his life on January 27, 2021. He was fatally shot outside a Family Dollar store on Highland Avenue in Washington, PA, shortly before 3:45 p.m. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the store, and Brown was shot in the head. City police were called to the scene, and no other injuries were reported.
The investigation into Brown's death revealed that the shooting was targeted. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Zackory James Sadler, was believed to have been waiting for Brown and fired at least two rounds, one of which hit Brown in the head. Sadler and Brown's girlfriend have a child together, and Brown's girlfriend and her six children, all under the age of 9, were in an SUV at the time of the shooting. Sadler was driving a stolen 2013 black BMW with red and green stripes on the front.
Police in Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties launched a search for Sadler, who was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants with gold lettering. Sadler has a history of firearms violations and is well-known to law enforcement. He was charged with criminal homicide, reckless endangerment, and firearms violations. The investigation also connected Sadler to a second shooting that occurred 45 minutes later in Donora, Pennsylvania, where a man was shot in the leg and foot and airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The case drew significant attention from local authorities and the community, as Brown's family and friends mourned his loss. Brown was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Heat fan who loved music and spending time with his family. He is survived by eleven children, four brothers, two sisters, and many other relatives.
The investigation into Darnell Steven Brown's death remains ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to search for Sadler and gather evidence to build a strong case against him.
