A jailed witness testified about a defendant in a teen homicide, serial shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Oct. 2.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, ten 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, including 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.
Steele was also allegedly involved in a non-fatal shooting on March 1, 2020 at the unit block of Channing Street, NE, and a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 22, 2020 at the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW. No individuals sustained injuries.
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.
A 2024 trial proved that Steele’s co-defendants, Tyiion Freeman, 26, Koran Jackson, 25, Stephen Nelson, 34 and Aaron Brown, 29, were involved in the Channing Street shooting and homicide. Prosecutors claim Steele was part of the group.
Prosecutors presented a photo of an individual to the witness who then stated that he didn’t recognize this person.
Prosecutors then played an audio recording of a call between the witness and “Tiiyon”. In the call the witness referred to Brown by his nickname – Stae. When questioned by prosecutors he stated that he learned of Brown through the news and knew his nickname through the “streets” and by process of elimination having known “everybody else”. He stated that he has not had any interactions with Brown.
The prosecution also presented a picture of a call log which included a call between Brown’s phone number and the witness’s phone number. The witness testified that “Tiiyon” has used his phone multiple times, inferring that this could’ve been one of those times.
The witness also testified that he did not remember if he was in any of “D4’s” rap videos. After being presented with a photo of him in the individual’s music video, he testified that people were rapping and dancing in the video.
Prosecutors stated that they would ask the witness about certain aspects of the video including t-shirts the individuals are wearing and the lyrics rapped.
Megan Allburn, Steele’s attorney, argued that the witness should not be confronted regarding someone else’s words.
Judge Brandt stated that because the witness associated himself with the video by signing up for it the prosecution can ask questions about the lyrics.
Additionally, the prosecution pointed out some of the visuals used in the music video, including a writing of “Happy Slatt Day” on the rear window of a car, and a yellow t-shirt with the caption “#LLTheRealNWGoon.”
The witness claimed he never heard of the name Slatt but he identified 19-year-old Tahlil Byrd, who was killed on Sept. 29, 2019 as the “NW Goon.” Throughout the trials, prosecutors have claimed Steele and his co-defendants acted in retaliation for Byrd’s murder. Byrd, was also known as the “North West Goon,” a rapper said to be involved a dispute over who could claim the actual title of his name.
The witness confirmed that the music video was a “D4” song, but when asked if the song was a diss record, he said he did not recall it being a diss track. The prosecution pointed out the lyrics, “B**** I’m the trap Lord,” but the witness stated that he did not know who those lyrics referenced.
Allburn asked the witness if he had any contribution in the making of the song or the lyrics. The witness stated that he did not and was only in the music video for a short period of time.
Prosecutors called a custodian of records for Meta who interpreted data pulled from the Instagram accounts of Steele and co-conspirators. Through the records, prosecutors attempted to establish a connection between the individuals. Allburn noted that some people have Instagram notifications turned off or are public and may not be notified when someone follows them or tags them in a post.
Prosecutors called a retired crime analyst with the Department of Forensic Science (DFS).
The witness confirmed that he participated in a search warrant in a townhome on the 1800 block of Bruce Place, SE, on May 29, 2020.
The witness took several photographs inside the home and collected substantial evidence that was presented before the jury.
The evidence consisted of a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a magazine with smith and wesson ammunition, and several bullet casings. A ballistic vest was also collected from the home.
Additionally, several key fobs, car keys, cell phone, and cell phones were shown before the jury.
The witness also recovered an obituary with the title “In loving memory of Tahlil Byrd,” which had Byrd’s picture on the cover.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 6.
