Prosecution Presents Social Media Texts About Firearms in Murder, Conspiracy Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Parties reviewed search warrants and messages through Instagram and Facebook involving firearm deal before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt in a three co-defendant homicide and conspiracy trial.

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.

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

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, Feb. 24, 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 prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) investigator with extensive experience in interviewing criminal suspects to explain slang found in various social media and text messages allegedly relating to Nelson.

The evidence shown in court on April 23 highlighted an individual with the name of “Steph Boogie” sending pictures and prices of firearms to multiple individuals.

Multiple witnesses have previously identified Nelson as Boogie.

“Know anybody tryna get a dog [firearm]” the witness said as he read out the facebook messages. Steph Boogie followed the message by sending a picture of a firearm.

A thread of text messages revealed a contact known as “Boogie” selling firearms on Feb. 9, 2020. A message from Boogie reads “you want the M&P or 26?” which the witness identified as kinds of firearms.

The unknown number responded “Dats ty doing dat sh*t I kno it is.” Boogie’s text response affirmed that “ty” had grabbed “the 26” the day before.

The prosecution alleges that “ty” or “Ty” was a commonly used nickname for Freeman.

A separate thread of Facebook messages showed messages between the account “Steph Boogie” and another user on March 2, 2020 the day after the murder.

A message from Steph Boogie stated “I got the 17 550… it’s a ghost.” The witness affirmed that this message was in reference to a .17 caliber firearm lacking a serial number, also known as “ghost gun.”

Previous testimony from a forensic firearm analyst testified about certain firearms linked to cartridge casings found at Lukes’ homicide scene.

The analyst testified that the ghost gun found in relation to the case was consistent with cartridge casings found at Lukes’ homicide scene. The analyst had also testified that this ghost gun would be indistinguishable from a Glock 17.

The prosecution proceeded to play a 27 minute video compilation of CCTV surveillance showing the alleged suspect vehicle, a 2016 Kia Soul, driving around the area of Lukes’ homicide on March 1, 2020.

Within the compilation, there was surveillance footage of the Kia gassing up at a BP gas station along with footage from inside the gas station. A man with a NASA hoodie can be seen in the footage entering the gas station.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has focused on the NASA hoodie alleging that it is Jackson’s “calling card.”

Previous forensic testimony corroborated the prosecution’s assertion citing “very strong support” for Jackson’s DNA being found on the NASA sweatshirt in testing.

Brian McDaniel, Jackson’s defense attorney, focused on the lack of surveillance video placing Jackson in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Due to time constraints, the witness was unable to finish his testimony and will return at a later date.

Parties are slated to return April 24.

Follow this case