Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 12, 2019

           WASHINGTON – Malik Morris, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing one man and injuring another in a shooting in Northeast, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu.

           On October 25, 2019, pursuant to Morris’ guilty plea, the Honorable Ronna L. Beck of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia sentenced Morris to 15 years in prison. Morris pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill at a prior proceeding on June 21, 2019. Upon completion of his sentencing, Morris will also be placed on five years of supervised release. 

           According to the government’s evidence, on November 26, 2018, at approximately 1:49 p.m. in the 1800 block of Benning Road, Northeast, Morris observed several people, including the decedent in a convenience store. Morris did not enter the store, instead, he went to an adjacent parking lot where he adjusted his pants and moved an object consistent with a firearm around his waistband. Shortly thereafter Morris ran past the convenience store and toward the decedent and another individual who was walking on Benning Road. Morris fired several shots in the direction of the decedent striking him and injuring another victim. After the shooting, Morris fled the scene. He was subsequently arrested in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania on December 6, 2018, before he was extradited back to the District of Columbia to face charges.

           In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department officers who investigated the case. She also acknowledges the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including, Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, Paralegal Specialist Lashone Samuels, and Victim/Witness Advocate Marcey Rinker.

           Finally, she commends the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Santiago, who investigated and prosecuted the case.