A Greensboro, North Carolina man has been arrested in connection with the 2023 murder of Nyjeon Dameae Brandon in Martinsville, Virginia.
Jahil Arman Martin, 23, was taken into custody on February 18 by Martinsville Police with the assistance of the Greensboro Police Department and the North Carolina Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Martin has been charged with first-degree murder, and authorities suggest additional charges may be filed in the future.
Martin is currently being held without bond pending extradition to Virginia.
The case stems from a tragic shooting on July 9, 2023, when Brandon, a Martinsville resident, was fatally shot while inside a vehicle. The incident occurred near the 300 block of Commonwealth Boulevard West, close to the Chopstix restaurant, in the early hours of the morning.
At approximately 2:25 a.m., Brandon was rushed to Sovah Health, but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
During a news conference on February 18, Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher labeled the shooting as a “premeditated murder” and described it as an “outright execution.”
“If I was to say anything—and I know that I may get a little kickback from this—this was an outright execution,” Police Chief Fincher stated. “This was a planned, premeditated murder, and the victim was the intended target. The suspect organized to have him killed.”
Chief Fincher also indicated that additional arrests may follow, as some individuals connected to the victim may have attempted to conceal evidence surrounding the crime.
Addressing the delay in making an arrest, Fincher explained, “It was more of an evidentiary thing. Once these key pieces of evidence came back with the results that it did, it allowed us to move forward and make the arrest.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact Lieutenant Richard Barrow at 276-403-5458 or Crime Stoppers at 276-632-7463.
Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line, and tips leading to an arrest could result in a reward of up to $2,500.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Martinsville authorities are committed to seeking justice for Brandon and his family.