Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

A shooting defendant was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park, on May 8.

Mekhi Wilkins, 18, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Jan. 20 on the 1100 block of Holbrook Terrace, NE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, 14 shots were detected in the area at the time of the incident, and officers watched an individual, who was later identified as Wilkins, allegedly fleeing the scene.

During the hearing, Wilkins’ defense attorney, Imeime Umana, alerted the court he was pleading not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Umana also requested additional time to review a plea offer extended by the prosecution.

Parties are slated to return June 6.

Prosecutors Link Rapper’s Murder to Teen’s Death, Shooting Spree

Prosecutors allege a rapper’s shooting was the motive for three defendants’ shooting spree, which led to the death of a young boy and multiple injuries.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, 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. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

Throughout the trial, before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, 2020; Feb. 24, 2020 and a second shooting on March 1, 2020. The prosecution alleges a firearm conspiracy of the defendants, in which they aimed to obtain and use specific weapons in Lukes’ homicide.

The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

On May 7, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer was stationed at Washington Hospital Center’s emergency room on Feb. 13, 2020, the night of a shooting on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to court documents, the shooting left one victim in need of medical care for a wound to his left elbow.

The victim is allegedly related to 19-year-old Tahlil Byrd.

The prosecution doesn’t link the three co-defendants to this shooting, but regard the incident as a motive for their shooting spree.

According to the prosecution’s opening statement, the series of shootings allegedly committed by the defendants was an act of retaliation stemming from “rap beef.” The prosecution believes a feud between two groups from different DC neighborhoods stemmed from the groups attempting to earn the title of the true “Northwest Goon rapper,” culminating in the death of Byrd, who is alleged to have been a rapper.

Byrd was the victim of a fatal shooting on Sept. 9, 2019, just four months prior, at the same location as Lukes’ homicide. The prosecution alleges that the defendants were friends of Byrd and his family, and that their alleged shooting spree was an act of retaliation following his death.

The witness got information at the hospital from the victim of the Feb. 13 shooting, who was accompanied to the hospital by Jackson, stating they were brothers. Her body-worn camera was presented to the jury as confirmation.

The case was then passed on to two detectives who were already at the hospital due to an unrelated case.

One of the MPD detectives was then called by the prosecution.

The detective spoke to the victim’s brother, allegedly Jackson, while his colleague spoke to the victim.

The detective explained how Jackson said his brother was shot on the 1200 block of Capitol Street, NW, and then dropped off at the hospital. The witness stated that no video was captured as the surveillance cameras were facing the other way.

The MPD Sergeant responsible for investigating the crime scene testified about her findings.

After a thorough investigation, with other detectives and the K-9 unit, the witness confirmed that no bullet shell casings or blood were discovered, adding “nothing out of place was found,” at the scene.

Parties are set to return May 8.

Jury Convicts Man Charged With Killing Ex-Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

A homicide defendant, who shot his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend to death, was convicted by a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun’s courtroom on May 7.

Marcus Walker, 23, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, second-degree cruelty to children, and several other firearm and ammunition possession charges for his alleged involvement in the death of 28-year-old Eric King.

The shooting took place on the 800 block of 21st Street, NE, on October 11, 2022. One other victim had minor injuries.

According to court documents, Walker and his two children were living with his ex-girlfriend on the night of the incident. Walker, his ex-girlfriend, and his her new boyfriend were watching TV in the bedroom when the couple asked Walker to return to the living room so they could go to sleep.

During the trial, Walker’s ex-girlfriend identified him as the shooter. Through her testimony, prosecutors presented text messages sent by Walker leading up to the shooting, where he called her disrespectful for partaking in sexual intercourse with King while he and his children were in the home.

According to the witness, when she stopped replying to his text messages Walker barged into her room interrupting sexual intercourse with King before shooting twice.

Prosecutors questioned a medical examiner who testified King’s homicide was caused by a gunshot wound to the genitals and his chest.

DNA and digital data analyst experts were also able to connect Walker to the scene and its surrounding areas.

However, Jesse Winograd, Walker’s defense attorney, argued the case is “not as open and shut as [the prosecution] like to make it.”

He stated that no one had identified the man in the videos, believed to be Walker, as the defendant, adding that he had no motive to shoot and kill King.

Despite Winograd’s arguments, the jury believed the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Walker was the killer, and convicted him of all charges.

Parties are slated to return for sentencing July 19.

Lead Detective Says He Didn’t Investigate Tips in Homicide Case

In a juvenile trial, a homicide detective told DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell that, although he received tips about the case, he did not investigate them. Defense lawyers believe the information is exculpatory.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

On May 7, prosecutors recalled the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) lead detective to discuss his involvement in the investigation that led to the boy’s arrest.

According to the detective, MPD was able to follow the suspect’s flightpath before and after the shooting through numerous surveillance cameras in the area. Prosecutors displayed multiple videos in which the detective was able to identify a person as the suspect fleeing the area, before arriving at an apartment which the juvenile is alleged to have frequented on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW.

The detective testified that, once the suspect arrived at the apartment, he removed the distinct red and white Jordan sneakers, before ordering an Uber rideshare to his home in Bowie, MD. However, the detective later found out that the Uber had been ordered via a friend’s account.

A search warrant was executed at the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue and at a home in Bowie, MD. According to the detective, the red and white sneakers were recovered from the Missouri Avenue apartment, and the rest of the suspect’s clothes and backpack were recovered from the Bowie address.

However, no weapon was ever recovered.

As per the detective, they were able to identify the defendant as the shooter based on statements made by his friend’s grandmother and one of two tipsters.

The first tipster, who knows the defendant and his family well, testified that she called MPD when she received text messages and phone calls from the defendant’s older brother confessing to his involvement in Darden’s murder.

The witness told Amanda Epstein and Matt Besman, the defendant’s attorneys, that she had come forward with the information “mainly because of a heavy heart, karma, knowing he took part in it… [he] had no regard about it.”

However, prosecutors argued her information was hearsay because it was not something she figured out on her own, but rather something the defendant’s brother told her.

In spite of the tip, and the witness providing MPD verification of the messages, the defendant’s brother was not investigated or identified as a suspect, according to the detective.

The other tip MPD received named the defendant as the shooter, but he was identified by a nickname, not his full name. According to the detective, this led MPD to question the defendant’s associates and friends about monikers. This tipster also told MPD that the defendant’s brother and Darden had “beef,” although the reason wasn’t clear.

Besman and Epstein filed a motion for a judgment of acquittal, stating that the prosecution had failed to provide evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was the perpetrator, arguing the prosecution failed to prove the act was deliberate and premeditated.

However, Judge Crowell denied the motion, stating that, if the juvenile is the shooter, under the District’s law “bringing the firearm is premeditation enough.”

“He didn’t shoot Jihad Darden, he didn’t kill Jihad Darden, he’s never met Jihad Darden… [the defendant] is innocent,” insisted Besman before Judge Crowell.

“They don’t have a bad relationship because they had no relationship,” he added, stating “[the defendant] makes no sense as a suspect.”

The juvenile asserted his right to not testify before the court.

Parties are slated to return May 8.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 7 on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in a Fatal Shooting in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of an individual in connection to a homicide on Oct. 30, 2023 on the 1800 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of found human remains, where an adult male’s body was located in a trash can. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) ruled the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death as a homicide.

The victim was identified as 25-year-old Kwame Keith.

On May 7, 34-year-old Emmanuel Lewis was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD Arrests Man in Northwest Robbery Homicide, Search Continues for Additional Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a man involved in a fatal shooting during an armed robbery of a business that occurred on March 27 on the 5100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. They continue to search for the second suspect.

According to MPD documents, two suspects brandished guns and entered a business at the location, where they demanded property and money. The victims complied. However, one of the suspects fired a shot striking one of the victims.

They took the property and money and fled the scene. The shooting victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

The victim was identified as 41-year-old Phillip Prendergast.

On May 6, 21-year-old Trenton Collins was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder.

The other suspect was captured by surveillance footage, and can be seen below.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Crash at White House Barrier

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic crash that resulted in the death of the driver on May 4 at the intersection of 15th and E Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the vehicle was driving westbound on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, when it ran a red light at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, and 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. It continued traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck a White House grounds security checkpoint vehicle barrier at the intersection. The driver suffered severe injuries on impact and died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 57-year-old James Chester Lewis Jr.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Document: MPD Searching for Shooting Suspect in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 2000 block of 8th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the victim, an adult male, reported walking at the location when he heard the sounds of gunshots. He realized he was shot and took himself to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect fled in a dark colored van with Arkansas license plate Ex68732

The suspect and vehicle were captured by surveillance cameras.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each violent crime in the District.

Document: Decedent Identified MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. There, they located a man on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old Delonta Pearson.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. There, they located a man on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification and next of kin notification.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 5 on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the reports of sounds of gunshots. While they investigated the scene, two men suffering from gunshot wounds arrived at a hospital for treatment. Despite all life-saving efforts, one of them succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Anthony White.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Convicted Murderer Back in Court for Stabbing Incident

Thirty-one-year-old Mussay Rezene was back in court on May 7 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, charged with a fatal stabbing incident at the DC Jail.

Rezene was allegedly involved in an altercation on August 17, 2023 with fellow inmate Darrow Johnson, 30. Security footage reportedly shows Rezene acting aggressively towards the victim during the confrontation in which the victim ran and tried to defend himself.

As a result, Mussay Rezene faces two charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed.

On March 22, he was convicted of fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy on September 18, 2021 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

The stabbing victim died as a result of multiple wounds, including to his head. According to doctors at Washington Hospital Center, the victim suffered a “non-survivable brain injury.”

The incident occurred in the physical therapy room of a DC Jail’s Central Treatment Facility located near the 1900 block of E Street, SE.

Defense attorney Kevin Robertson represented his client for the first time today after Rezene dismissed his former attorney Jonathan Zucker. Robertson stated that the defendant would like Andrew Ain, who has previously served counsel to Rezene, to represent him in trial.

The prosecution opposed the defense request, stating that the defendant was bouncing between attorneys as a delaying tactic.

The next court date is May 21.

Sexual Relations with Teen from a Rival Crew May Have Triggered A Homicide

A friend of two homicide defendants testified to having an “intimate relationship” with a teen that might have led to his murder by a rival crew.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, 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. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, 2020; Feb. 24, 2020 and a second shooting on March 1, 2020. The prosecution alleges a firearm conspiracy of the defendants, in which they aimed to obtain and use specific weapons in Lukes’ homicide.

The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

On May 6, the prosecution called an old friend of Jackson and Freeman’s, who was a next door neighbor of one of the Feb. 22, 2020 victims. The incident took place on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, leaving two victims uninjured.

When asked if she knew 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, the witness asserted she had “an intimate relationship” with him when she was 16 years old.

The witness claims Lukes aligned himself with a ‘crew’ that was a rival of the neighborhood gang to which Freeman, Jackson, and Steele allegedly belonged.

Prosecutors have previously presented testimony citing a motive for the multiple shootings as a “rap beef” stemming from different neighborhood ‘crews.’

She said the defendants and an associate, who was arrested for gun-related charges in another case, confronted her after discovering her relationship with Lukes.

The associate was “blowing up her phone” even after she had told him to leave her alone. He called the witness an “opp thot” in one of the text messages referring to someone, most likely a female, having sexual encounters with a person highly disliked by the other.

“Why was you on baby bro d**k” said the associate in a text message sent on Feb. 28, 2020, two days before Lukes’ murder.

According to the witness, “baby bro” was Lukes’ nickname and Instagram username.

“I was having sex with Malachi, and he didn’t like that” the witness stated.

The witness began her testimony affirming she was in a vehicle with “moose,” “gordo,” and two other friends that were dropping her off at home the day of the shooting.

The witness positively identified Jackson as “moose” and Steele as “gordo.”

When asked by the prosecution, the witness described the vehicle as a “boxy kia car.”

The prosecution has previously identified a 2016 Kia Soul as the suspected vehicle for most of the shootings. The vehicle has been specifically tracked to the alley of Luke’s homicide on March 1, 2020, by surveillance footage and GPS tracking.

The witness testified to seeing two individuals on her neighbor’s front porch while walking into her house, moments before hearing gunshots.

Hearing gunshots, the witness affirmed she received a FaceTime call from one of her friends who was still in the car. As her friend laughed, she explained to the witness that Jackson and Steele had gotten into an altercation with her neighbors.

The prosecutor asked the witness if her relationship with Jackson was ever more than just a friendship. “No,” the witness said as she smiled. She explained Jackson had attempted to pursue a romantic relationship with her, but she was never interested.

The witness also confirmed her friendship with Freeman back in 2020, identifying him as “ty,” after the prosecution presented a picture of the defendant.

The prosecution has previously alleged Freeman’s nickname to be “ty” or “T-y” and have linked him to a Glock 26, the same type of firearm used in the Feb. 24, 2020 shootings, from social media text threads.

The witness could not confirm “moose,” allegedly Jackson, was the one that fired the gun during the Feb. 22, 2020, shooting during cross-examination by Brian McDaniel, Jackson’s defense attorney.

Additionally, she does not recall the clothing worn by Jackson and Steele the day of the shooting.

Due to time constraints, cross-examination will continue at a later time.

Prior to the testimony, the two victims of the Feb. 22, 2020, shooting were called to the stand.

Both victims, regarded as boyfriend and girlfriend, testified to smoking “potent” marijuana on the front porch of the girlfriend’s home moments before a verbal altercation that led to gunshots.

After observing a suspicious vehicle, the boyfriend stated “they keep looking at us.” An individual inside the vehicle responded “What did you say?” as he exited the vehicle along with another male individual.

Anticipating a physical altercation, the girlfriend stated “You not about to fight.” She recalls “bullets flying” shortly after.

During the boyfriend’s testimony, his failure to remember resulted in a verbal altercation with the prosecutor.

“Swear to God you’re already pissing me off,” the witness stated early in his testimony.

“No. I ask, you answer,” the prosecutor repeatedly exclaimed as he raised his voice.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt intervened, telling the prosecutor to “dial it back.”

“[The witness] clearly doesn’t wanna be here” she stated, as she mentioned that “flaring up” wouldn’t be tolerated.

The witness told police, “it was a Kia, built like a box” in a body worn camera footage played by the prosecution. He also asserted there were four people in the vehicle.

In addition, he testified seeing a woman exit the vehicle and enter his girlfriend’s neighboring house in the video.

Parties are set to return May 7.

Witness Testifies Defendant was ‘Sweating Profusely,’ in the Moments Following a Shooting

A woman, whose house a juvenile frequented before his arrest in connection to a homicide, testified he and her grandson typically shared clothes, including the alleged shooter’s shoes. The information was presented before DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell in a hearing on May 6.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

According to the witness, the defendant, whom she identified in court, and her grandson had been friends for a while, saying “he was young… must’ve been 13-years-old” when she met him. She added the defendant frequently spent the weekend at her house.

The witness testified that on Dec. 17, 2023, the defendant spent the night at her apartment, stating that when she arrived home from work at 11 p. m. “They [the defendant, grandson, and her nephew] were all in there sleep.”

When she woke up Monday morning, the defendant was gone, said the witness.

However, he knocked on her door “sometime before or after 12 p. m.,” she told Judge Crowell.

According to the witness, the defendant was “sweating profusely,” and was wearing an all black outfit with white and red sneakers, which belonged to her grandson.

“They always exchanged clothes,” said the witness, adding that the defendant removed the shoes and the two left the apartment a few minutes later.

Prosecutors have previously displayed surveillance footage that depicts the shooter wearing similar clothes.

They displayed surveillance footage, in which the witness identified her grandson and the defendant, leaving her apartment building. The individual, who she identified as the defendant, was wearing the shooter’s clothing, without the shoes.

In the footage, the individual identified as the defendant was seen entering a silver SUV. The witness’ grandson returned to her apartment.

The witness further testified that officers and detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant in her home on Feb. 7, during which her grandson and her nephew were put in handcuffs.

“The homicide squad and them took it out of my house,” she said about the sneakers.

During cross examination, Amanda Epstein, the juvenile’s defense attorney, asked her if she would do anything to protect her grandson. “Which grandma wouldn’t?” said the witness.

She insisted MPD didn’t have a reason to handcuff her grandson and her nephew, stating “they didn’t do anything.”

Parties are slated to return May 7.