U.S. Marshals offer reward for info on woman charged with murder of 10-year-old in Franklin

Published 3:28 pm Wednesday, August 16, 2023

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The U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a woman who is on the run from charges stemming from the shooting death of a child in Franklin.

A U.S. Marshals Service news release stated that Tashawnda Nicole Drayton, aka “23 Brazy,” is wanted for first-degree murder and related firearms charges in connection to a shooting that left a 10-year-old boy dead and an adult male injured in Franklin on Aug. 9.

Drayton is a Black female, with brown eyes and black hair.  She stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs approximately 250 pounds. She has “ONLY LOYALTY” tattooed above her left eyebrow, “23 Brazy” in red letters running from her forehead onto the left side of her face, along with several other tattoos on her face and neck. Drayton also has multiple tattoos on both of her arms and hands.

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Drayton has ties all over the Hampton Roads area and should be considered armed and dangerous, the release noted.

She has the following outstanding arrest warrants from the Franklin Police Department: first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied dwelling (two counts), use of a firearm in commission of a felony, threat to burn or damage a building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharge of a firearm in a public place.

Anyone with information regarding Drayton’s location should contact law enforcement. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of as much as $5,000 for information that leads to her arrest. Tips may also be submitted to the Franklin-Southampton Crime Solvers at 757-516-7100 or through the USMS Tips app.

Additionally, if anyone has information about Drayton’s whereabouts, the shooting incident or other criminal activity within the city of Franklin, they can also call Franklin Police at 757-562-8575, or contact the FPD online at p3tips.com. Information that leads to an arrest can earn the caller a cash reward while remaining anonymous.