In the spring of 2016, a meeting planned for the illicit sale of firearms in Northeast Washington, D.C. turned deadly, claiming the life of 23-year-old Nuru Frenche. On the night of April 23rd, Frenche, a male resident of Brandywine, Maryland, accompanied a friend to the 4900 block of Just Street NE with at least $500 in cash, intending to purchase guns from two men, Nathaniel Taylor and Anthony Blackmone.
The transaction, however, was a setup for a robbery.
Shortly after Frenche exited his vehicle, a confrontation was initiated by Taylor. The situation quickly escalated, and Frenche was shot in the back of the head. His friend managed to escape the scene unharmed. Police responded to reports of the shooting at approximately 10:42 p.m. and found Frenche suffering from his wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The investigation into the homicide led to the arrest of 21-year-old Anthony Blackmone in May 2016. Nearly a year later, in February 2017, the second suspect, 23-year-old Nathaniel Taylor, was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder while armed. Both men ultimately faced justice for their roles in the fatal shooting. Blackmone pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and attempted robbery. In December 2018, Nathaniel Taylor also entered a guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder while armed, accepting a plea deal that could result in a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
