On February 2nd, two individuals entered guilty pleas in relation to the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Za’Quan Blackwell.
Officials said Ah’Kee Flonnory, a 19-year-old, originally charged with Murder, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, while Armani Rogers, 20, from New Castle, pleaded guilty to Assault 2nd Degree.
The incident occurred on September 14, 2023, at around 5:30 p.m., when Flonnory drove Rogers to exchange custody of a child she shared with Blackwell. An argument broke out during the exchange, leading Rogers to use pepper spray against Blackwell. As Blackwell approached the driver’s side of the vehicle to converse with Flonnory, Flonnory extended a handgun from the window and fired two shots, fatally injuring Blackwell.
When Wilmington Police arrived at the scene they found Blackwell suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to Christiana Hospital, Blackwell succumbed to his wounds.
Flonnory’s sentencing will be determined by a Superior Court judge at a later date, while Rogers has been sentenced to eight years in prison, suspended for one year of probation.
Detective Kevin Nolan of the Criminal Investigations Division led the investigation, resulting in the identification and subsequent arrest of Flonnory and Rogers. Initially, Flonnory faced charges including Murder 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Rogers was initially charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The reasons behind charging the pair with Endangering the Welfare of a Child were not disclosed by officials at the time.