FRANKLIN, Va. — Months after a search launched for the "armed and dangerous" suspect in the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Franklin, the U.S. Marshals Service has announced it is once again increasing the reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest.
Law enforcement is now offering $20,000 for information that helps them find and arrest Tashawnda Drayton, who is also known by a stage name, "23 Brazy," and sometimes goes by the name "Berlin Montrell" and nickname "Punnie."
Drayton, who is a rap artist, is known to have contacts along the East Coast, including in New York City; Wilmington, Delaware; Richmond and Hampton Roads, Virginia; Gaffney, South Carolina; and Atlanta.
Law enforcement describe the suspect as having brown eyes, black hair, being about six feet tall and approximately 250 lbs. Drayton is said to have “only loyalty” tattooed above the left eyebrow, a forehead tattoo that says “23 Brazy” in red letters, as well as several tattoos on the face, neck, arms and hands.
Drayton faces a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding, in the Aug. 9 shooting that killed Le'marj Holden and injured a 37-year-old man, who has not been publicly identified.
At the time of the shooting, the Franklin Police Department said that four people arrived at the man's residence and an altercation happened between the him and Drayton. They said the altercation ended with Drayton firing gunshots that stuck both victims.
Police also told 13News Now in August that Drayton was out on bail for another incident at the time of the shooting. In that incident, Drayton had been charged with grand larceny, conspiracy, attempted malicious wounding, and destruction of property.
Anyone with information about Drayton's location is asked to contact law enforcement or submit a tip through the USMS Tips App.