On September 22, 2017, Michael Lamar Cousette, a 20-year-old African American male, was fatally shot in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred around midnight on the 1700 block of West Cumberland Street. After being shot, Cousette was transported by a private vehicle to Temple University Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Cousette's death led to the arrest of Michael Blackston, a 29-year-old man from Philadelphia's Nicetown
neighborhood, on November 2, 2019. Blackston was charged with murder, possessing an instrument of a crime, and several firearms violations in connection with Cousette's death. At the time of his arrest for Cousette's murder, Blackston was already incarcerated and awaiting trial for a murder that occurred in December 2011.
Authorities have accused Blackston of being a member of a violent drug trafficking organization that operated in North and Northwest Philadelphia. His arrest was the result of a years-long investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department and the District Attorney's Office. Blackston was ultimately charged with a total of five murders that took place between 2011 and 2017, including that of Michael Cousette. The other victims were identified as Branden Vincent, Kristin Freemon, Gary Wilson, and Saleem Garland.
At the time of his death, Cousette was looking forward to the birth of his son with his girlfriend, Naadirah Fate. His son, Michael Lamar Cousette Jr., was born in February 2018. Cousette also had a daughter from a previous relationship.
