David Christian Sanborn was 23 when he was fatally shot on August 31, 2016, during a confrontation on Binghamton’s West Side. The shooting occurred at an apartment on Mozart Street after Sanborn accompanied his friend, 26-year-old Jordan Doolittle, to retrieve some of Doolittle’s belongings from the residence of Doolittle’s former roommate, Nicholas Chappell. An argument escalated and Chappell opened fire with a long gun; Sanborn was struck and killed, and Doolittle suffered a severe gunshot wound to his arm.

Authorities identified 27-year-old Nicholas Chappell as the suspect and arrested him on charges including second-degree murder for Sanborn’s death, attempted second-degree murder for the wound to Doolittle, first-degree assault, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm. At trial the defense said Chappell acted in self-defense, claiming he believed he was being robbed; the prosecution countered with evidence that Chappell had made prior threats against Doolittle. The jury found Chappell guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.

Sanborn is remembered by friends and family as a compassionate, kind young man, a talented drummer who loved animals, the outdoors, and music.