Zaakir McClendon, 21, pleaded guilty Friday to two separate shootings that killed teenagers in Philadelphia in 2022 and 2023. The pleas connect him to the ambush outside Roxborough High School that killed 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde, and to a North Philadelphia shooting that left 16-year-old Nafis Betrand-Hill dead. The admissions mark the latest turn in cases that have stretched across years of investigation and court proceedings.
McClendon Pleads Guilty In Both Cases
The guilty pleas were first reported by NBC10 Philadelphia, which said McClendon admitted involvement in both the Roxborough and Montgomery Avenue shootings. NBC10, citing KYW Newsradio, reported that the admissions followed a fresh review of forensic and digital evidence.
Investigators Say DNA And Phone Records Tied Him To The Scene
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, detectives say a DNA profile recovered from a fired cartridge casing at the Roxborough scene later matched McClendon in national databases. Investigators also say his phone records showed frequent contact with other defendants around the time of the ambush. Court documents reviewed by the paper describe messages that investigators say helped identify a possible motive and place McClendon at or near the scene.
Roxborough Ambush Recalled
The Roxborough shooting unfolded after a junior varsity scrimmage on Sept. 27, 2022, when an SUV pulled up near the 300 block of Fairway Terrace and multiple shooters opened fire, according to contemporaneous coverage. Five teens were shot and 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde was killed. CBS Philadelphia reported extensively on the scene and the early stages of the investigation.
North Philadelphia Killing And The Arrest
Police say the April 13, 2023, shooting on the 2300 block of Montgomery Avenue left 16-year-old Nafis Betrand-Hill dead. Officers recovered a firearm along with eleven 9mm casings and twenty .40 caliber casings at the scene, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Investigators publicly announced in July 2025 that McClendon had been taken into custody in connection with that case while authorities continued working to formally link him to the Roxborough ambush.
What Comes Next In Court
Prosecutors have already secured guilty pleas and lengthy prison terms from other defendants in the Roxborough case. The District Attorney's Office noted that one shooter received a 30–60 year sentence after pleading guilty. The Office of the District Attorney issued a statement when that sentence was imposed, and McClendon’s admissions now shift the focus to how and when the courts will schedule his sentencing.
Community Impact And Safety Measures
The Roxborough shooting led to both memorials and security upgrades at the high school. The school unveiled a memorial garden and mural for Elizalde and added hundreds of cameras and extra safety staff after the attack, as reported in coverage of the memorial garden and mural. Families and neighbors say the guilty pleas are a step toward accountability, even as the community continues to grieve.
With McClendon's guilty pleas, investigations that once seemed stuck in limbo move toward sentencing and related court proceedings. For the families of Elizalde and Betrand-Hill, the legal steps ahead may bring some answers, but the losses remain permanent.
