VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Taji Blackston, 20, was sentenced Wednesday for second degree murder, two counts of robbery, attempted robbery, three counts of use of firearm and two counts of conspiracy.
He was sentenced to 69 years in prison with 48 years suspended, leaving 21 years to serve.
Blackston pled guilty on August 16, 2016.
Blackston, Andrew Daniel, Zabre Miller and Jahmon Blount were initially charged in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Gilbert McGriff III that occurred on July 30, 2014, in the 1300 block of Sierra Drive.
Calls came in about the shooting on July 30, 2014 shortly after 9 p.m. When police arrived in the 1400 block of Sierra Drive, they found McGriff had been shot.
McGriff was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:34 p.m.
Police arrested Blackston, who was 18 at the time of the incident, of the 1400 block of Riverside Drive in Virginia Beach. Blackston was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Robbery, three counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Robbery, Attempt Robbery, Attempt Burglary and First Degree Murder. His trial date has not been set yet.
Police arrested Andrew Shawn Daniel, 18, of the 1000 block of Blue Spring Lane in Virginia Beach. Daniel was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy to Commit a Robbery and Attempt Robbery. Homicide charges against Daniel were dropped on March 22, 2016 due to insufficient evidence.
Also arrested was Jahmon Markee Blount, 19, of the 3800 block of Windsor Gate Road in Virginia Beach. Blount was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Robbery, three counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Robbery, Attempt Robbery and Attempt Burglary. He was found guilty of Second Degree Murder, two counts of Robbery, Attempted Robbery, three counts of Use of Firearm, and two counts of Conspiracy. He is serving 38 years in prison.
Zabre Miller was 16 when he was arrested. The teen was charged with Second Degree Murder, two counts of Robbery, three counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Robbery and Attempt Robbery. He is currently only charged in the robbery incident that occurred earlier in the same day as the murder. He will be tried as an adult on June 21.
