WAVY.com

$10K reward for woman wanted in Franklin 10-year-old’s shooting death

FRANKLIN, Va. (WAVY) — Authorities are now offering a reward up to $10,000 as they continue to search for a murder suspect in the shooting death of a Franklin 10-year-old.

Tashawnda Nicole Drayton is still on the run, the U.S. Marshals Service says.

Authorities say she has ties all over Hampton Roads and is also a rapper by the name of 23 Brazy.

She’s 5 feet 11 inches tall and about 250 pounds, and has several tattoos: an “only loyalty” tattoo above her left eyebrow, “23 Brazy” in red letters on her forehead, and multiple other tattoos on her face, neck, arms and hands.

Tashawnda Nicole Drayton in 2023 (Courtesy of U.S. Marshals)

She’s wanted on charges of 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.

Franklin shooting victim La’Marj Deshawn Holden (Courtesy of his family)

The shooting last week on Artis Street left 10-year-old La’Marj Deshawn Holden dead and a 37-year-old man hurt.

10 On Your Side obtained 911 calls from nearby neighbors who heard a barrage of gunshots.

“I’m hearing gunshots over here. Somebody’s been shot. Police on the end of Artis Street,” said one man to dispatchers.

Another woman said was asleep and jumped out of bed when she heard several gunshots outside her door.

“A whole bunch of shots fired, a whole bunch, a whole bunch. I was asleep, I was asleep, about six, seven or eight. Yes, I was asleep. Loud, loud,” said the woman to dispatch.

She told first responders she was afraid to step outside because she saw a body on the ground through the window.

Anyone with information that leads to Drayton’s arrest could get up to $10,000. Tips can also be submitted to the Franklin-Southampton Crime Solvers at (757) 516-7100 or through the USMS Tips app.                                                

Tashawnda Nicole Drayton’s mugshot