Upper Darby police have arrested a 17-year-old township youth in the shooting death of 16-year-old Khalif Webster, also of Upper Darby, on Sunday afternoon at Long Lane and Pine Street.
The suspect, Michael Nixon, will be charged as an adult in the killing, police said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Nixon turned himself in late Tuesday at the township police station, according to Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt.
The Pennsylvania courts website shows that the arraignment before District Judge Steven A. Sandone is pending, and that Nixon will be denied bail. Charges are first- and third-degree murder, firearms not to be carried without a license and the general homicide statute.
Police activity in the first blocks of North State Road and Oxford Street on Tuesday night were associated with the arrest, Bernhardt said. Two family members were also questioned, he added.
Police didn’t talk about the firearm involved in the killing and did not address a motive.
Both suspect and victim were Upper Darby High School students. It was unclear from the press conference whether they were acquainted prior to Sunday.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt at the microphone Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the press conference about the arrest of Michael Nixon in the gunshot slaying of Khalif Webster. Among those with him is Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown, third from left. (PETE BANNAN – DAILY TIMES)
Webster was killed shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday during an argument between the two, police have said.
Webster was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center following the shooting, however lifesaving efforts were not successful.
Following the shooting, police released video images of the suspect and had a number of leads.
Police account
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Detective William Gottsch:
In the eight hours following the shooting detectives were able to use surveillance video in the area to break the case.
Surveillance video on Long Lane showed the victim at 2:55 p.m. ride a miniature dirt bike from the 7200 block of Pine Street onto the 300 block of Long Lane.
At 2:56 p.m. the surveillance captured audio of an unknown person ask, “You that young bull I seen the other day? You better not be.”
Then the unknown person said something muffled.
That was immediately followed by a gunshot.
Following the gunshot, a white male wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt with a logo on the left side of the chest, black pants, black sneakers and a cross-body bag fled from the 300 block of Long Lane.
Video captured him tucking an unknown object, presumably a firearm into his waistband, using his right hand.
The suspect then raised a red mobile phone to his face with his left hand and stated, “I just shoot somebody in their chest, bro!”
Detectives obtained additional surveillance showing the subject running through the neighborhood onto the 7200 block of Radbourne Avenue to Chapman Playground and on to the trail behind the 300 block of Essex Avenue and on to Houston Avenue.
Police canvassed the path and made contact with a witness who had been seen on one of the videos washing his vehicle in the alley near Lamport Road. That witness stated he recognized the subject as someone who formerly lived on the unit block of Oxford Street.
On Monday detectives obtained information on that resident of that home who also had an address on the unit block of North State Road.
On Tuesday, detectives executed two search warrants, including one on North State Road, where they seized two fired cartridge casings, two handgun frames and a black cross-body bag.
A witness at the home agreed to go to the police station to give a statement. That witness told police she received a call from Nixon between 3:30 and 4 p.m. on Sunday saying he had just shot somebody.
After the call, she picked him up at the Dollar General on Union Avenue in Lansdowne. At that time he told her he had a dispute with the victim a day or two earlier.
This witness told police Nixon had seen Webster walking on Long Lane at which time they engaged in a verbal argument during which time Nixon shot him.
Nixon also told her Webster was riding a mini-dirt bike which was consistent with the surveillance video.
The courts portal isn’t clear whether Nixon will be sent to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility or to the Abraxas Academy in southern Berks County, a juvenile detention center.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6 before District Judge Christopher R. Mattox. The courts portal shows Nixon’s attorney is Pete A. Manaras.
At the press conference, Bernhardt said a senseless act of gun violence took a youth’s life.
“We should be standing here talking about K Webster’s future, his career, his plans, a family, all that life should offer, instead we are talking about something that should never have occurred,” Bernhardt said.
He credited the officers and detectives in doing the job, Bernhardt said.
“This community has been devastated by the irresponsible actions of Michael Nixon,” the superintendent added. “Two families have been shattered.”
Bernhardt notified Webster’s family at 6 a.m. Wednesday of Nixon’s arrest.
Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown said Webster’s family said he was never in trouble and had a bright future.
“That saddens me, every time that happens our community is weakened,” Brown said. “I’m happy the culprit is in custody but we have to find another way to solve conflict. Guns are not the answer.”
Originally Published: May 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM EDT