Eyewitnesses Testify to Non-Fatal Shooting in Connection with Teen Homicide Case

By Audrey Staudacher , Anthoine Godin - March 12, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 11, two eyewitnesses testified before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt regarding a pattern of violence surrounding the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy. 

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 22, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020 on the 600 block of S Street, NW.

That shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.   

During the hearing, the prosecution focused on a shooting that occurred 10 minutes after Lukes was murdered. That incident occurred at the 2400 block of Channing Street, NE, but no injuries were reported.

The prosecution called an eyewitness, who lived in the neighborhood and observed a man fleeing into an alley after the shooting. 

The eyewitness described his neighborhood as a “nice neighborhood” and “generally pretty quiet,” even though the sound of gunfire was familiar.

The witness testified that he had been watching TV when “several shots in rapid succession” startled him. After waiting a few seconds, the witness went outside and saw a man standing next to a white car in the alley that drove away southbound.

Moments later, the witness observed a  familiar looking man run from the crosswalk toward the witness’ home and into the alley.

When asked if he recognized the man, the witness claimed that the man had lived in the neighborhood previously and would often come back to visit residents. 

The prosecution claims the man was the victim of the shooting spree and will testify later in the trial. 

To corroborate his testimony, the prosecution introduced photos that the witness took of the man running into the alley. 

In his cross examination, Brian McDaniel, Jackson’s defense attorney, asked the witness if he had seen or spoken to the fleeing man about the incident since 2020. The witness had not and admitted that he does not recall giving descriptions to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) about anyone involved. 

In response, the prosecution presented MPD body-worn footage of the witness showing police the photos he had taken of the former neighbor.

The prosecution then brought a second witness from Channing Street, NE who called 911 and reported the gunshots. 

This witness also testified after hearing the shots, he looked out of his window to see a man running down an alley, as well as a white car at the end of the same alley. 

The witness testified that the man running into the alley was wearing a hoodie, but could not recall the color or design. 

In cross examination, McDaniel asked, “You’re not sure how you know the individual was African American correct?” to which the witness responded “yes”. 

The witness admitted that he had seen the man for around eight seconds maximum before calling the police.

McDaniel concluded by asking the witness if he had seen anyone get into the white car or if he could give a facial description of the man running to the alley. The witness replied “no” to both questions. 

In redirect, the prosecution asked the witness how close the shots had been. When the witness told the court that the shots were very near, the prosecution asked if anything had obstructed his view from the window. The witness testified that he was able to see most of the alley. 

The prosecution also called an officer of the (MPD) who had responded to Channing Street, NE, for reported gunshots. 

He said he found a black Toyota Prius with an apparent bullet hole in the windshield and shell casings while canvassing the crime scene. 

Prosecution asked the witness to show on a map how to get from the area of the fatal shooting to Channing Street, NE. When the witness was shown a video of a gray Kia Soul on the day of both shootings, he affirmed that it was heading in the direction of Channing Street, NE. 

Additionally, the officer stated that he interviewed two witnesses to the shooting, including a  resident of Channing Street, NE, who had taken photos of a man running into a nearby alley shortly after the shooting.

According to the officer’s police report, he also interviewed a teenage boy who had called 911 after hearing the shots.

Following the officer’s testimony, the prosecution brought in another MPD officer who testified that the shell casings were consistent with nine millimeter firearms. 

Parties are slated to return March 12.