A crime scene analyst with the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) identified the blood stained clothing remnants of a 13-year-old homicide victim before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sep. 4.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, 10 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.
The charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in four shootings. One of the shootings was the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, at the 600 block of S Street, NW on March 1, 2020. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident.
The other shootings Steele is alleged to have been involved in include a non-fatal shooting on March 1, 2020 at the unit block of Channing Street, NE and non-fatal shooting on Feb. 22, 2020 at the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW.
Additionally, Steele faces charges for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 24, 2020 at the 1700 block of Ninth Street, NW. Three individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, prosecutors called on a DFS worker who assisted in the investigation. The witness responded to the Children’s National Medical Center Hospital to document the crimes with photographic evidence.
The witness stated that Lukes had an injury to his neck and his chest cavity was cut open as a result of an attempt to save his life. The scientist took photos of both juveniles’ injuries and collected their clothing.
Body-worn camera footage captured the interaction between the DFS worker and the surviving victim, which was played for the court.
Prosecutors presented pictures of clothing items belonging to Lukes and his friend to the jury. The scientist described some items of clothing as having defects, as in holes or tears, and red staining– believed to be blood, including a pair of jeans worn by one juvenile during the incident. The clothing was physically presented to the jury
Multiple officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told the jury that they received information from witnesses and recovered surveillance footage that put the Kia Soul, which prosecutors claim was the murder vehicle, in the vicinity of the March 1 shooting that led to Lukes’ death.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Sept. 8.
