Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

City of Franklin Police Department Chief Steve Patterson confirmed Tuesday, June 18, that the U.S. Marshals Service had arrested a Virginia woman wanted for the Aug. 9 murder of a 10-year-old boy in Franklin.

A Thursday, June 20, news release from the U.S. Marshals Service stated that a multi-agency fugitive investigation spanning several states and lasting more than 10 months came to an end Tuesday morning, June 18, when Hampton Roads rapper Tashawnda “23 Brazy” Nicole Drayton was arrested in an apartment complex in Boykins.

Drayton had the following outstanding arrest warrants from the City of Franklin Police Department in connection with a shooting that left a 10-year-old boy dead and an adult male injured in Franklin on Aug. 9: first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied dwelling (two counts), use of a firearm in commission of a felony, threat to burn or damage a building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharge of a firearm in a public place.

During the course of the more than 10-month search for Drayton, the U.S. Marshals Service offered a $5,000 reward that was increased to $10,000 and then $20,000 in the effort to obtain information leading to her arrest.

The USMS news release noted that the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) immediately adopted apprehension responsibility for Drayton after being contacted by the Franklin Police Department.

The investigation developed several leads and marshals ultimately caught up with Drayton on June 18 at the apartment of a relative in the 32000 block of Brookside Drive in Boykins, the release stated. 

“As members of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force knocked and announced their presence at the apartment, a relative of Drayton’s opened the door and exited the apartment,” officials stated in the release. “Shortly thereafter, Drayton also surrendered and was taken into custody.”

CARFTF Senior Inspector Robert Bowers stated in the release, “This complex investigation is another example of the tenacity and never-give-up attitude of deputy U.S. Marshals and our state and local law enforcement partners. It is my hope the efforts of the investigators in this case will provide a small amount of comfort to the family of the victim in this case.”

On behalf of the FPD, Patterson shared a comment with The Tidewater News in response to Drayton’s arrest. 

“We are very thankful to the U.S. Marshals for their commitment and dedication to getting Drayton off the streets,” he said. “We are truly indebted to them.”

The USMS June 20 news release noted that Drayton was being held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, awaiting an initial court appearance.

The release stated that the U.S. Marshals-led Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force in the Hampton Roads area consists of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia Beach Police Department, Norfolk Police Department, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, Newport News Police Department and Hampton Police Department. 

The release concluded by noting that the mission of the task force is to reduce violence throughout the National Capital Region through the apprehension of violent fugitives.