On a cold February day in Roanoke, Virginia, the life of 23-year-old Markel Trevon 'Kels' Girty was tragically cut short. On February 9, 2018, Girty, a male, was found with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle that had crashed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The initial discovery of a car crash quickly turned into a homicide investigation as it became clear that Girty had been shot.
The investigation into Girty's death uncovered a sinister plot
orchestrated by members of the Rollin' 30s Crips street gang. It was revealed that Trayvone Raycron Kasey, a member of the gang, had arranged to meet with Girty. When Girty arrived at the meeting location, Kasey leaned into his car, shot him once in the chest, and then robbed him of his belongings. Despite being gravely wounded, Girty managed to drive away from the scene before crashing his vehicle.
The relentless work of the Roanoke Police Department, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies, led to the arrests of those responsible for Girty's murder. Trayvone Raycron Kasey, who was 21 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to a host of federal charges, including murder in aid of racketeering and robbery. In August 2022, he was sentenced to 36 years in prison for his role in Girty's death and other violent crimes. Two other high-ranking members of the Rollin' 30s Crips, Sean Denzel Guerrant and Demonte Rashod Mack, were also sentenced to lengthy prison terms of 37 and 40 years, respectively, for their involvement in a racketeering conspiracy that included Girty's murder.
Markel Girty's death left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends. He was a father, and his daughter was born just ten days after he was killed. His loved ones remember him as a man with a great sense of humor who could light up a room. The resolution of the case brought a measure of peace to his family, who had waited patiently for justice to be served.
