The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia announced Friday that a D.C. man had been sentenced to 107 years in prison for the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy and a related incident in the Petworth neighborhood.
Reginald Steele, Jr., 26, was convicted in November 2025 of first-degree murder while armed, multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and other firearm-related offenses. These allegations originate from the death of Malachi Lukes, 13, in March 2020, as well as a subsequent incident in the Petworth neighborhood.
Steele and four co-defendants, according to court filings, were members of street crews 3500, CHV, Rock Creek Church, Really Ready Gang, and 640. Steele’s neighborhood has had a running conflict with the Ninth Street crew since one of their members was killed in September 2019.
On March 1, 2020, Steele and his co-defendants were cruising Ninth Street in a stolen vehicle, looking for members of the rival team. According to court filings, the guys saw Malachi Lukes, 13, walking with three buddies to play basketball in the 600 block of S Street NW.
According to court documents, the men followed the boys into an alley before Steele and another co-defendant exited the vehicle and fired 11 bullets. Lukes was struck in the back and killed, while another child was shot in the leg.
The men then went to the Petworth district and shot at passersby on the street, but no one was injured.
The USAO reacted to the sentencing, writing, “Reginald Steele Jr. and his crew pursued 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, who was walking to a basketball court, shooting him in the back as he fled for his life.” Gang violence is a serious threat to our communities, and these gang members’ days are over,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Today, justice has caught up with a guy who had no regard for human life. Justice has been served, and our city is safer as a result.
The three co-defendents were each tried and sentenced seperately.
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