DOJ Secures Life Sentences for Two Men in 2020 Murder of Shiheem Durham

State of Delaware - The Delaware Department of Justice announced that Jason Calhum and Khalil Dixon were sentenced on March 18 for their roles in the 2020 murder of Shiheem Durham. Both men received life sentences, along with additional prison time, following multiple convictions connected to the case.

Jason Calhum, 24, of Middletown, Delaware, was sentenced to life in prison plus 14 years. His convictions include Murder First Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy First Degree, Money Laundering, Gang Participation, and three counts of Conspiracy Second Degree.

Khalil Dixon, 29, of Dover, Delaware, was sentenced to life in prison plus eight years. His convictions include Murder First Degree, Conspiracy First Degree, Money Laundering, Conspiracy Second Degree, and Criminal Solicitation First Degree.

Both men had previously been convicted of the same charges in May 2022. Their original convictions were overturned in February 2025 because of a juror issue, which led to a retrial.

"These sentences are the culmination of a remarkable team effort between our DOJ prosecutors, the Wilmington Police Department, the Middletown Police Department, and the Delaware State Police, and I am grateful for all of their hard work," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "Delaware is a safer place because of it."

"These life sentences mark the latest round of consequences for this extremely violent group of offenders," said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. "We are grateful for the dedicated work of our investigators and our partners at the Delaware Department of Justice for their tireless efforts to hold this group accountable and deliver justice on behalf of the victims of these crimes."

"We are thankful to our partners in the Delaware Department of Justice for their efforts in securing life sentences for this senseless murder," said Colonel William D. Crotty, the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. "The thorough investigation by the agencies involved and the successful prosecution by the DOJ highlight Delaware law enforcement's dedication to the common goal of public safety and securing justice for victims in our state."

According to the case, Dixon placed a bounty in January 2020 on three individuals, including Shiheem Durham. Investigators said Calhum and other members or affiliates of a gang known as MGS conspired to carry out the murder-for-hire.

On February 25, 2020, the group traveled from Wilmington to Dover. Calhum then lured one of the targets to a meeting under the pretense of a drug deal. When the vehicle arrived, Calhum fired a single shot into it. The shot missed the driver and struck Durham, who was seated in the front passenger seat. Prosecutors said Dixon later made several payments connected to the bounty.

A co-defendant in the case, Deonte Robinson, was tried and convicted in October 2023.
The case grew out of a larger investigation into gang violence in Wilmington. That effort began in September 2019 through a newly formed task force made up of personnel from the Delaware Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Wilmington Police Department, the ATF, and the FBI. Investigators used traces from crime guns recovered in and around Wilmington to identify MGS as a major source of violence in the city.

The broader investigation identified 19 defendants, including 17 adults and two juveniles, who were connected to MGS or aligned gangs. Investigators also identified one non-MGS member who contracted a killing in Dover. The cases involved numerous violent felonies, including the killings of Shiheem Durham, Naithan Grzybowski, Tommier Dendy, and Eddie Green.

The investigation also covered a six-victim mass shooting at 10th and Pine Streets in April 2019, six additional shooting cases, a robbery, and multiple gun offenses.

In addition to Calhum and Dixon, several other defendants were convicted in connection with the broader case. Tyrie Burton, 24, was found guilty of Conspiracy 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Gang Participation, and Violation of Probation.

Davon Walker, 23, was found guilty of Murder 2nd Degree in the killings of Grzybowski, Dendy, and Green, along with Gang Participation and Conspiracy 1st Degree.

Pierre Carter-Bailey, 23, was found guilty of Assault 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. Deonta Carney, 23, was found guilty of Gang Participation. Zakier Smith, 24, was found guilty of Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Gang Participation. Lloyd Smith, 23, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree.

Dahmere White, 26, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Gang Participation. Marcell Dixon, 29, was found guilty of Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, Gang Participation, and Violation of Probation.

Jakeem Bush, 21, was found guilty of Gang Participation. Antonio Wright, 32, was found guilty of Providing a Firearm to a Person Prohibited and Gang Participation.

Nathaniel Murray, 22, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, and Gang Participation. Jahmier Robinson-Handy, 21, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon. Clarence Jarman, 22, was found guilty of Gang Participation.

Zyamese Mobley, 24, was found guilty of Gang Participation. Darielle Oliver, 22, entered a no contest plea to Hindering Prosecution. Two minors were each found guilty of Gang Participation.