PHILADELPHIA (December 6, 2022) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced today that Nasir Watson (5/9/2000) was found guilty by a jury of First Degree Murder, Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act – 6106 (F3), Possession of an Instrument of Crime (M1), and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2), for fatally shooting 25-year-old Eric Fuller on the afternoon of May 4, 2021 in North Philadelphia.Several Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) cameras captured Watson, who was dressed completely in black and wearing a mask, exit a Chevrolet Malibu and cross Lehigh Avenue. Watson proceeded to stalk Fuller while the victim cradled his seven month-old daughter with one arm while pushing a stroller and walking with his partner southbound towards the intersection of N. 23rd Street and Oakdale Street. The defendant began opening fire on Fuller, shooting him 19 times throughout his body. RTCC cameras showed the defendant continuing to shoot Fuller as he lay on the sidewalk. Fuller’s infant daughter, whom Fuller had tossed to the ground to protect her from the gunshots, lay face down mere inches away as shots continued to ring out. Fuller later succumbed to his injuries while in transport to the hospital.
Watson fled northbound and returned to the Chevrolet Malibu. His accomplice, who drove the getaway car, remains unidentified to this day. Investigators traced the registration and ownership of the black Chevrolet Malibu to Nasir Watson’s father, who identified the defendant as someone who frequently drove the family’s vehicle. DNA and fingerprint testing of the vehicle’s interior confirmed the father’s statement. Gunshot residue was also detected in the vehicle’s trunk.Additional surveillance footage located by investigators depicted Watson at a North Philadelphia grocery store wearing sneakers and a black hat that strongly resembled what the shooter had worn while committing the homicide the previous day. Furthermore, Watson’s parole officer viewed the grocery store footage and confirmed to investigators that the individual depicted was Nasir Watson due to that individual’s similar gait, height, and facial hair. Investigators also utilized cell phone location data that placed Watson in the vicinity at the time of the killing.
“I commend the skillful and meticulous prosecution of this case by Assistant District Attorney Helen Park that helped secure justice for Eric Fuller’s family and community,” said DA Krasner. “And thanks to the diligent investigation by Philadelphia police as well as the careful consideration and commendable service from this Philadelphia jury, Mr. Watson will no longer pose a threat to our city.”“Thanks to Philadelphia Police Homicide Detectives Maha and Lucke for their diligence, professionalism, and commitment in finding Mr. Fuller’s killer,” said ADA Park. “I also want to thank the Fuller family for their bravery and grace while awaiting justice in this case.”“You never know when it will be the last time you speak to or see a loved one,” said Yvette Fuller, Eric Fuller’s mother. “My beloved son is survived by his two children and his loss is deeply felt by them and our small but close-knit family. Like so many other families across the city touched by violence and tragedy, Eric’s murder has caused us great pain and sorrow. But thanks to the work of ADA Helen Park, Nicole Hall of the DA’s Victim Services Unit, and members of the Philadelphia Police Department, we have a little bit of peace for which to be grateful. This senseless violence must stop. Life is not a video game. It’s unfair. It’s not right. It’s unjustified. And those who take the life of another cannot kill without feeling that terrible impact in their own life.”Watson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on December 1, 2022, before the Hon. Rose DeFino-Nastasi.
The photo below is provided by the Fuller family for use in news media. Members of the press may also use this memorial slideshow in coverage.
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, 215-686-8713, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.