Shelton Merritt, a 24-year-old male from Lawnside, New Jersey, tragically lost his life on July 24, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA. The incident occurred at around 11:45 p.m. outside Cavanaugh's River Deck on Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue. Merritt was found with gunshot wounds to his head and torso and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation into Merritt's death led to the arrest of Xavier Braswell, a 23-year-old from Burlington, New Jersey.
Braswell was charged with murder and related offenses. According to police reports, the shooting followed an argument that began inside the River Deck club and escalated outside. Braswell, along with his cousin Alex Rice and friend Robert Renfro, allegedly got into a fight with Merritt and his friends. After the altercation, Braswell approached Merritt's vehicle and shot him.
Braswell's trial began with a jury trial in November 2017, which resulted in a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a unanimous verdict. A retrial was held in May 2018, but the outcome of the retrial is not specified in the available information.
The case highlights the tragic consequences of escalating violence and the importance of conflict resolution. Merritt's death serves as a reminder of the impact that disputes can have on individuals and communities.
