In the quiet neighborhood of Wynnewood, on the 1400 block of Surrey Lane, the life of 19-year-old Nahray Mumakk Crisden of Philadelphia was tragically cut short on the night of September 13, 2020. Around 10:45 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting and found Crisden, a male, with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident, which took place just off City Avenue, prompted a joint homicide investigation by the Montgomery County detectives and the Lower Merion Police Department.
Nahray, born on September 16, 2000, was described as a caring individual who often tried to help young men in his neighborhood facing hardship by offering them food, clothing, and a temporary place to stay. On the day of his death, he had spent time with his childhood friend, Sean Brown. The two were seen together on surveillance video, first at a Conoco station on City Avenue buying snacks and later walking in the direction of the crime scene. Tragically, as they walked back, with Crisden looking at his phone, Brown pulled out a gun and shot him six times in the torso.
The investigation into Crisden's death led authorities to identify his longtime acquaintance, Sean Brown, as the primary suspect. Surveillance footage and forensic analysis played a crucial role in his identification. In November 2020, then 19-year-old Sean Brown was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with Crisden's death. He was held at the Montgomery County Correctional facility without bail.
In November of 2021, Sean Brown, then 20, admitted to killing his childhood friend and was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 19 to 38 years in prison. During the court proceedings, it was noted that Brown never offered an apology or an explanation to Nahray's family for his actions.
