D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment of Trio in Murder of Innocent Bystander Who Was In Town For Birth of Grandchild

 

Reda Girgis, Visiting from Egypt, was Killed Outside of Washington Heights Deli

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JONADEL LAKARD, 23, KELWIN SANCHEZ, 19, and RAHEAM STEED, 22, for the drive-by shooting and murder of 66-year-old Reda Girgis in front of a deli in Washington Heights. The defendants are all charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. SANCHEZ is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree; LAKARD and STEED are each charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.[1]

“As alleged, the defendants participated in a retaliatory shooting, killing an innocent bystander,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Mr. Girgis, a soon-to-be grandfather excited to share in a joyous time with his family, was taken away from them far too soon. The defendants also posed a significant threat to others in the community when, without any regard for innocent bystanders, they allegedly sprayed bullets out of a moving vehicle. Our office will pursue accountability against those who use guns to terrorize our streets.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, Mr. Girgis, who lived in Egypt, was in New York City visiting his son and daughter-in-law, who were expecting a child. On May 23, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., LAKARD, SANCHEZ, STEED and another individual drove by a deli near West 162nd Street and Broadway. A couple minutes later, they drove past the deli again and fired shots from the passenger side towards several young men whom they considered to be rivals. Mr. Girgis, who was standing close by, was shot in the head and immediately collapsed to the ground as others ran for safety. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The defendants fled the scene in their vehicle. On June 7, 2023, search warrants were executed by members of the New York City Police Department on STEED’s and LAKARD’s apartments. Officers recovered a firearm from LAKARD’s apartment and clothing he appeared to be wearing at the shooting. Officers also recovered firearms from STEED’s apartment. SANCHEZ was arrested outside of his home wearing what appeared to be the same clothes from the shooting.

Assistant D.A.s Tricia Phillips (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Jeannie Campbell-Urban (Human Trafficking Unit) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Samuel David (Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). They were assisted by Alexandra Schwartz (Trial Preparatory Assistant), Matthew Ballou (Investigative Analyst) and Jonah Altman (Summer College Intern).

D.A. Bragg thanked NYPD Police Officers from the 33rd Precinct, Detectives from the 33rd Detective Squad, Homicide Squad, Manhattan North Homicide and Enhancement Team, and Warrant Squad, and members of the Joint Task Force.

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.