Teen Sentenced In Roxborough Shooting That Killed Havertown Boy

ROXBOROUGH, PHILADELPHIA — A teenager will spend decades in prison for his role in the 2022 shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy outside Roxborough High School, and another pleaded guilty in the shooting, Philadelphia authorities said.

Zyheid Jones, 19, was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of third-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy, four counts of attempted murder, and related gun crimes in connection with the shooting death of Nicholas Elizalde, 14, of Havertown, as well as the shooting death of Tahmir Jones, 19, the day before.

Zyheid Jones also wounded four other people in the Sept. 27, 2022 shooting outside the high school.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said Troy Fletcher, 17, also pleaded guilty to the same charges this week and will be sentenced in February in connection with the deadly incidents.

Three others — Dayron Burney-Thorn, Saleem Miller, and Yaaseen Bivins — will head to trial in October 2025 for their roles in the Roxborough shooting.

"We can only hope that the family and friends of Nicholas and Tahmir will find some solace with this outcome," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Thursday. "And while convictions won't bring back Nicholas and Tahmir nor heal the physical and psychological scars endured by Nicholas' classmates who were injured in this heinous act, my office will vigorously pursue justice against the remaining defendants and hold them accountable, and we will continue to support the co-victims of this senseless tragedy."