Brandon LaJames Howard, a 19-year-old father from Nashville, Tennessee, was looking forward to a future with his family. Born on September 30, 1990, to Wanda and James E. Howard, Brandon was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was also a proud father to his own young son, Brandon "BJ" LaJames Howard, Jr. His family, including his sister Chiquita and brothers Marquise, Terrance, Deandre, and Montez, remember him as a cherished part of their lives, gone far too soon.
The afternoon of Sunday, February 21, 2010, was shattered by sudden and brutal violence. Shortly after 3:00 p.m., Brandon, a young Black man, was standing in the driveway of a home at 2906 Clifton Avenue in North Nashville, talking with three people who were sitting in a parked car. Without warning, two vehicles, a black four-door BMW and a dark-colored SUV, pulled up. Occupants of both vehicles immediately opened fire directly at Brandon. As bullets filled the air, he turned and ran toward the house, desperately trying to find cover from the unexpected attack.
Despite his attempt to escape, Brandon was struck by the gunfire. He managed to make it to the back of the house before he collapsed from his wounds. In a frantic effort to save him, his mother and a friend got him into a private vehicle and raced toward a hospital emergency room. Tragically, Brandon’s injuries were too severe, and he died on the way. The brazen daylight shooting left a family and a community stunned and searching for answers.
The Metro Nashville Police Department launched a homicide investigation, but for years, the case grew cold. Detectives pursued leads, but no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were made. The brazen nature of the ambush in a residential neighborhood suggested a targeted attack, yet the motive remained elusive to the public. For a decade, Brandon's family lived with the pain of their loss, compounded by the lack of justice for the person or people responsible for his death.
After ten years of persistence from investigators in the MNPD's Cold Case Unit, a significant breakthrough occurred. In July 2020, the evidence was presented to a Davidson County Grand Jury. The grand jury returned indictments for first-degree murder against two men, DeAnthony Fletcher and Donald Brown, in connection with Brandon Howard's death. This development, a decade after the killing, offered a renewed hope for accountability and closure for Brandon's loved ones.
The case against the two indicted men is pending progression through the Davidson County criminal justice system. As of late 2020, the charges represented a long-awaited step forward in a case that had remained unsolved for years. The memory of Brandon LaJames Howard is cherished by his son, parents, siblings, and a host of other relatives and friends who continue to await a final resolution. The investigation remains a testament to the dedication of law enforcement to pursue justice for victims, no matter how much time has passed.
