PHILADELPHIA (September 11, 2026) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit on Friday announced the sentencing of defendant Zaakir McClendon for the murder of 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde, the wounding of four other children outside Roxborough High School in 2022 and for fatally shooting 16-year-old Nafis Betrand-Hill in April 2023.
McClendon was sentenced to 40-80 years in prison after pleading guilty to two third-degree murder charges by the Honorable Scott O’Keefe. McClendon was the sixth and final defendant arrested for the Roxborough High School mass shooting on September 27, 2022 and the third defendant arrested for the murder of Nafis Betrand-Hill in North Philadelphia on April 13, 2023.
In addition to two counts of third-degree murder, McClendon pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of attempted murder and related crimes.
“I want to thank Assistant District Attorneys Lauren Crump and Ashley Toczylowski for securing justice in these cases,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “We can only hope that the family and friends of Nicolas and Nafis will find some solace with this outcome. And while convictions won’t bring back Nicolas and Nafis or heal the physical and psychological scars endured by those who were injured in these heinous acts, my office will continue to support the co-victims of these senseless tragedies.”
CONTACT:
Solomon D. Leach, [email protected], 267-934-4269
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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.