Guilty Verdict In Deadly Shooting Of Father In North Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — A man was found guilty of murder and related crimes in connection with a deadly North Philadelphia shooting that occurred in May 2021.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Nasir Watson, 22, was found guilty by a jury of first degree murder, violation of the uniform firearms act, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person.

Watson was convicted in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Eric Fuller.

Fuller was killed the afternoon of May 4, 2021, in North Philadelphia.

According to the DA's office, Real Time Crime Center cameras captured Watson, who was dressed completely in black and wearing a mask, get out of a Chevrolet Malibu and cross Lehigh Avenue.

Watson stalked Fuller as Fuller cradled his seven month-old daughter with one arm and pushed a stroller with the other while walking with his partner southbound towards the intersection of North 23rd Street and Oakdale Street.

Watson shot at Fuller, striking him 19 times throughout his body.

Real Time Crime Center cameras showed Watson continuing to shoot Fuller as he lay on the sidewalk.

Fuller's infant daughter, whom Fuller had tossed to the ground to protect her from the gunshots, lay face down mere inches away as shots continued to ring out.

Fuller later succumbed to his injuries while in transport to the hospital.

Watson fled northbound and returned to the Chevrolet Malibu.

His accomplice, who drove the getaway car, remains unidentified to this day, authorities said.

Investigators traced the registration and ownership of the black Chevrolet Malibu to Watson's father, who identified Watson as someone who frequently drove the family's vehicle.

DNA and fingerprint testing of the vehicle's interior confirmed the father's statement.

Gunshot residue was also detected in the vehicle's trunk.

Additional surveillance footage showed Watson at a North Philadelphia grocery store wearing sneakers and a black hat that strongly resembled what the shooter had worn while committing the homicide the previous day.

Furthermore, Watson's parole officer viewed the grocery store footage and confirmed to investigators that the individual depicted was Watson due to that individual's similar gait, height, and facial hair.

Investigators also used cell phone location data that placed Watson in the vicinity at the time of the killing.

"I commend the skillful and meticulous prosecution of this case by Assistant District Attorney Helen Park that helped secure justice for Eric Fuller's family and community," Krasner said. "And thanks to the diligent investigation by Philadelphia police as well as the careful consideration and commendable service from this Philadelphia jury, Mr. Watson will no longer pose a threat to our city."

"You never know when it will be the last time you speak to or see a loved one," said Yvette Fuller, Eric Fuller's mother. "My beloved son is survived by his two children and his loss is deeply felt by them and our small but close-knit family. Like so many other families across the city touched by violence and tragedy, Eric's murder has caused us great pain and sorrow. But thanks to the work of ADA Helen Park, Nicole Hall of the DA's Victim Services Unit, and members of the Philadelphia Police Department, we have a little bit of peace for which to be grateful. This senseless violence must stop. Life is not a video game. It's unfair. It's not right. It's unjustified. And those who take the life of another cannot kill without feeling that terrible impact in their own life."

Watson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Dec. 1.