PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have arrested a sixth suspect in connection with the shooting at Roxborough High School three years ago that left a 14-year-old dead and four other teens injured.
On Sept. 27, 2023, a group of people hopped out of a stolen SUV and opened fire after a scrimmage at Roxborough High, killing Saul High School freshman Nicolas Elizalde, who played with the Roxborough football team, and injuring four other boys, ages 14 to 15.
Police said evidence from the scene had revealed several DNA profiles, leading to the arrest of five people. One profile was unknown until recently.
Police said an FBI database helped link the unknown identity to 20-year-old Zaakir McClendon. After the match, investigators obtained a court-authorized search warrant for a fresh DNA sample, confirming the result. Phone records were also obtained and, according to police, “showed frequent contact around the time of the murder with at least two individuals already charged in the case.”
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office approved charges of murder, attempted murder and related offenses for McClendon.