Trio Indicted After Man Visiting Family From Egypt Killed Uptown: DA

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A trio of men who stand accused of shooting and killing a bystander visiting Washington Heights from Egypt for the birth of his grandchild were indicted for murder on Tuesday, the Manhattan District Attorney announced.

Jonadel Lakard, 23, Kelwin Sanchez, 19, and Raheem Steed, 22, were all charged with a slew of offenses, including murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the deadly shooting of Reda Girgis, 66, that took place at the end of May outside of a deli on West 162nd Broadway, the Manhattan District Attorney said.

The uptown deli is owned by Girgis' son.

"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," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. "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."

About 7 p.m. on May 23, Lakard, Sanchez, Steed and another person drove by the deli at West 162nd Street and Broadway, before circling back again a couple minutes later and firing multiple shots from the passenger side toward several young men standing outside of the business whom they considered their rivals, the Manhattan District Attorney said.

Girgis, who was standing outside of the deli at the time, was shot in the head and immediacy fell to the ground, the Manhattan District Attorney said. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The trio fled the scene, but were arrested in the following days after police searched Steed and Lakard's apartments and found clothing and guns that appeared to be used in the shooting, the Manhattan District Attorney said.

Steed and Lakard both live in the same the building on Nagle Street in Inwood, and Sanchez lives in Yonkers, police said.

Here are the full set of charges.

Jonadel Lakard
New York, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, three counts

Kelwin Sanchez
Yonkers, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

Raheam Steed
New York, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, three counts