DA: Devlin Killed in Retribution For Robbery Set-Up

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman announced today that 18-year-old Brandon Tremayne Pierce, of 1302 Arch St., has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the in the early morning hours of July 20.

According to affidavits made public by the DA's office, Pierce allegedly killed Devlin, his ex-girlfriend, in retaliation for her involvement in an attempted home invasion on July 6 in which Pierce was a target.

According to reports from the , officers responded to the 300 block of East Wood Street Wednesday, July 6, at 11:30 p.m. for reports of shots fired. At the scene, officers arrested several suspects whom witneses say were hiding behind shrubbery on the northeast corner of the intersection of Arch and Wood streets, as though waiting for someone coming out of the residence at 1302 Arch St.

According to reports, officers recovered a black bookbag containing a .32 revolver loaded with two spent casings and a photo ID of one of the suspects, as well as a small bag of marijuana, from the scene.

The suspects in the incident were taken into custody for loitering and prowling, conspiracy, carrying firearms without a license and possession of marijuana among other charges. You can read more about .

According to the affidavit, police and county detectives discovered in the course of their investigation into Devlin's murder that Pierce was the intended target of this botched robbery. Police also learned of Devlin's involvement in planning the crime, though the details of her involvement have not been released by authorities.

According to reports, Pierce eventually became aware of Devlin's involvement in the incident. A witness reports that Pierce discussed the attempted robbery on or around July 10 and stated, "You know that bitch Dom set me up. That bitch has to pay." Pierce then produced a small black and brown semi-automatic pistol that the witness confirmed is identical to the Mauser 6.39 handgun recovered at the scene of the crime and identified as the murder weapon by police.

Police also recovered a pile of clothing at the scene of Devlin's murder identified by witnesses as being worn by Pierce earlier in the day. The clothes were soaked in bleach. A plastic bottle containing bleach was also recovered at the scene.

According to the afidavit, Pierce lured Devlin into meeting him on the night of her murder via text message. Police recovered a cellphone identified as Devlin's at the scene and retrieved the following text conversation occuring shortly before her death:

• 10:52 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Yooo
• 11:03 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: WYD?
• 11:03 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Shit chillin,.
• 11:07 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: lol I jus woke up we still on 4 night?
• 11:08 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: lol, yea...
• 11:14 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: ok bout 2 gt dressed giv me 15min
• 11:15 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: K,.
• 11:33 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: U ready
• 11:34 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Where we at?,.
• 11:37 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: Sam spt lol
• 11:38 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Smh,rd.now?
• 11:39 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Smh,rd.now?
• 11:39 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: Yea lol
• 11:40 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: Rd,.
• 11:41 p.m. – Pierce to Devlin: hw long u gonna b?
• 11:41 p.m. – Devlin to Pierce: I'm coming now,.

According to records, Devlin called Pierce's phone at 11:48 p.m. The call lasted for 37 seconds. It was the last outgoing call made on the Devlin's phone.

Less than an hour after the shooting, a witness reported calling Pierce to ask if he had heard about the shooting. The witness stated Pierce seemed shocked and said, "You're lying. Don't tell me that."

Another witness also reported calling Pierce to tell him of the shooting. That witness stated Pierce again acted surprised, saying, "For real? Please tell me she didn't check?" "Check" is reportedly street slang for "checking out" or dying.

Detectives view Pierce's expression of surprise to both witnesses as being highly suspicious behavior.

Police and detectives were also able to collect fingerprint and DNA evidence placing Pierce at the scene on the night of the murder.

A warrant was issued for Pierce's arrest early this morning and police took him into custody without incident. He was arraigned in today at 3 p.m. on charges of first and third degree murder and related offenses. He is currently being held without bail.

Norristown Patch will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.