PHILADELPHIA — Zyheid Jones, 19, was sentenced Thursday to 30-60 years in prison for his role in the 2022 Roxborough High School shooting that killed 14-year-old Nicholas Elizalde, injured four other children, and claimed the life of 19-year-old Tahmir Jones the day prior, prosecutors announced.
Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy, four counts of attempted murder, and related firearm offenses. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed the sentencing by Judge Barbara McDermott, expressing hope that the families of the victims might find some solace in the outcome.
“This morning, 19-year-old Zyheid Jones was sentenced…for his role in the murder of 14-year-old Nicholas Elizalde, the wounding of four other children outside Roxborough High School, and for fatally shooting 19-year-old Tahmir Jones,” Krasner said in a statement.
Seventeen-year-old Troy Fletcher, who also pleaded guilty this week to similar charges, is scheduled to be sentenced in February. Three additional defendants—Dayron Burney-Thorn, Saleem Miller, and Yaaseen Bivins—are awaiting trial, set to begin in October 2025.
The September 27, 2022, shooting outside Roxborough High School shocked the city, with the victims ambushed as they left a football scrimmage. Elizalde, a freshman, was fatally shot in what authorities described as a targeted attack, while other students sustained injuries.