Javionne Trotter, a 19-year-old male, was fatally shot in Detroit, Michigan on February 21, 2018, in what was supposed to be a firearm swap arranged through social media. Trotter, along with his friend Deonta Blinco, was driven by his cousin, Larry Jackson, to a residence on Buena Vista Street for the prearranged meeting. They were there to trade a Smith & Wesson nine-millimeter pistol for two other nine-millimeter pistols with two individuals later identified as David McNair, 17, and
Christopher Pritchett, 18.
The exchange, however, turned into a violent robbery. Shortly after Trotter and Blinco exited their vehicle and met with McNair and Pritchett, gunfire erupted. According to court testimony, Pritchett and Trotter walked to the back of the house while McNair and Blinco remained in the front yard. A series of gunshots were heard from behind the house, and subsequently, McNair shot Blinco multiple times in the front yard. Both Trotter and Blinco sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Blinco died at the scene, while Trotter was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, an investigation led to the identification and arrest of David McNair and Christopher Pritchett. Information from Larry Jackson, who used social media to help track down the suspects, was instrumental in their identification. Both McNair and Pritchett were charged with numerous offenses, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, armed robbery, and felony firearm.
David McNair was ultimately convicted of two counts of first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He received a sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison for each of the first-degree felony murder convictions, with additional sentences for the other charges. His conviction for second-degree murder was later vacated during the appeals process.
