Witness Testifies About a Connection Between a Murder Weapon and a Suspect

By Anthoine Godin - March 17, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 14, a witness linked to a defendant in a 2020 homicide case testified about a possible murder weapon before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. 

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. 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. 

Prosecution brought in a witness who they believe received a firearm from Freeman after the shooting and then sold it. The firearm was allegedly used in the murder of Lukes. 

The prosecution maintains that, according to the witness, Freeman was aware when he gave the gun to him Freeman knew the it “had a body on it,” meaning it was used in a homicide

The witness stated that he had known Freeman for more thanr five years and described himself “like a big brother to him”. 

To corroborate the witnesses’ previous testimony, prosecution presented Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) body-worn camera footage depicting the witness standing in a group with others including Freeman.

The prosecution then asked the witness about his involvement with street groups, a term that can mean gangs. While the witness admitted to going to school with members of the 3500 Street Group, he stated that he “ain’t into that.”

The witness was then asked to look at a picture which he identified as Tahlil Byrd. 

According to court documents, Tahlil Byrd was shot on the 600 block of S Street, NW, on Sept. 29, 2019.

The prosecution believes the feud between the 3500 Street Group and the 9th Street Group had started as “rap beef” and had resulted in the death of Byrd as well as Lukes’.  

When asked if Freeman knew Byrd, the witness affirmed “they was friends” and stated that Freeman “was sad when he[Byrd] died” 

Due to time constraints, the witness was unable to finish his testimony and will resume on Mar. 18. 

A detective from the Arlington Police Department (APD) was also called to testify. The witness had been on patrol when he arrested the associate of Freeman and had recovered the firearm supposedly used in the shooting of Lukes. 

The prosecution presented the gun to the jury and using the serial number, the witness testified that the firearm had been reported stolen from Washington, DC. 

Trial will resume March 18.