Authorities have arrested a Greensboro man in connection with the July 9, 2023, death of Nyjeon Dameae Brandon, a 20-year-old from Martinsville who was fatally shot while driving on Commonwealth Boulevard.
Jahil Arman Martin, 23, of Greensboro, N.C., has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Brandon’s death. Martinsville Police Chief Robert Fincher announced the arrest during a Feb. 18 press briefing.
Martin, Fincher said, has ties to this area, and family members in the area, and “was originally from here.” He added that Brandon and the alleged shooter knew each other “very well.”
Brandon was taken to the local emergency room, “suffering from several gunshot wounds,” Fincher said, adding the case, “greatly impacted our community.”
City investigators who had met with Brandon’s family, refused to stop seeking a resolution in the case, Fincher said, and described their efforts as a “long two-year investigation. The investigation has been long, and it has not ceased. The key thing that really drives our officers” were investigator’s meetings with the family members.
Fincher said complimented the investigative efforts put forth by his department. “Our criminal investigative unit is headed by Lt. Richard Barrow and Sgt. Harley Durham, but also the key case agent in this has been Sgt. Jason Vaughn, who has not given up and worked continuously on this case to bring about this result,” he said.
He also credited the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Greensboro Police Department’s Violent Crimes Apprehension Team, the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation, and Virginia’s Division of Forensic Science, for their role in the arrest. Martinsville investigators were on-site in Greensboro when Martin was taken into custody.
“Unfortunately, this hasn’t been an easy case. It’s been very complex. We’re not finished with it and will continue up through the trial,” Fincher said. “We have been in touch with family members, particularly the mother of the victim, to let them know what has developed and what has taken place.”
The complexity of the case contributed to the length of the investigation. Fincher said and explained that key pieces of evidence needed forensic analysis before authorities could move forward with an arrest.
The shooting, which Fincher described as a “more of a drive-beside” attack, took place “between two cars as they were traveling up the road.”
A second person also was injured during the incident, which was captured by traffic cameras. A video of the incident will be released at the trial, Fincher said and alleged other individuals present at the scene were uncooperative with the police, further delaying the case.
“That’s been one of the challenges, but it’s not one that we haven’t been able to overcome,” Fincher said.
He also alleged there were efforts to conceal evidence, though the motivation remains unclear. The attack occurred at 2:25 a.m. and was captured on traffic camera footage.
Authorities believe multiple individuals were involved in the case, and additional arrests are expected.
The chief alleged “some of the persons that were with the victim at the time it occurred, were involved in criminal activity as well.”
Fincher characterized the homicide as an “outright execution.” He alleged that it was premeditated and that Brandon was the intended target. He emphasized that his department remains committed to seeking justice for the victim’s family.
“Our heart goes out to (Brandon’s mother) and all of the family members,” Fincher said, noting that the arrest is “a relief, but we also know that we have more work to do.” He emphasized that Tuesday’s arrest “is likely not going to be the only arrest in this case. How quickly that occurs depends on the evidence that comes forth.”
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Barrow at (276) 403-5458 or Martinsville-Henry County Crime Stoppers at (276) 632-7463. Crime Stoppers allows anonymous tips and offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest.
