2 Men Stabbed Victim To Death Near Courthouse In Norristown: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Two suspects were arrested last month in the stabbing death of a man on the streets of Norristown near Montgomery County Courthouse, the District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday. The motive for the killing and the details of their capture remain unclear.

Nafees Frazier, 19, and Zariyus Z. Johnson, 20, both face counts of first degree murder and related charges in the death of Derrick Lynch, 41, police said.

Frazier was eating lunch at La Roma's restaurant at around 3:55 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 when Johnson came inside the restaurant and said, "Come on let's get him," according to a witness cited in an affidavit of probable cause.

The pair then ran across the street of the 500 block of Dekalb Street and began beating Lynch on the sidewalk, another witness told police, per the affidavit. Johnson stabbed him multiple times, police said.

The pair then went through Lynch's pockets and fled the scene, stopping in the area of 548 Green Street, according to the affidavit. It's not clear if anything was actually stolen from Lynch.

Lynch was rushed to Mercy Suburban Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the same day.

It's unknown when or where the arrests took place. Paperwork indicating that the men were in custody was filed on Sept. 24, but no announcement was made regarding the arrests until another week and a half had passed, on Oct. 3.

When asked for details about the date and location of the arrest, the District Attorney's office declined to provide that information.

No bail was set due to the first degree murder charge. Both suspects were booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 12.

Images via Montgomery County DA's Office