WASHINGTON, D.C. — Four men from the Wellington Park Crew received their sentences today for the 2018 murder of Makiyah Wilson, a 10-year-old girl who was an innocent bystander in a courtyard shooting. The incident also left several people injured.
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Qujuan Thomas, 24, received a 68-year prison sentence after a guilty verdict on first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, participation in a criminal street gang, multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.
Darrise Jeffers, 23, received a 35-year prison sentence after being found guilty of similar charges. Jeffers was not identified as an actual shooter but was charged under an aiding and abetting theory.
Quentin Michals, 25, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after a guilty verdict on related charges. Like Jeffers, Michals was also not identified as an actual shooter but was charged under an aiding and abetting theory.
Gregory Taylor, 27, was sentenced to 65 years in prison for the same series of offenses.
Two other defendants involved in the case, Isaiah Murchison and Marquell Cobbs, had previously been sentenced on October 6 to 60 years and 72 months in prison, respectively.
According to evidence presented by the government, on the night of July 16, 2018, Isaiah Murchison, Gregory Taylor, Qujuan Thomas, and two other individuals drove to Clay Terrace neighborhood armed with guns. They opened fire in the courtyard, firing more than 50 shots indiscriminately. Makiyah Wilson was sitting on the front stoop of her home when she was killed. Several others were injured in the incident. Quentin Michals and Darrise Jeffers provided the shooters with the weapons and vehicle used in the attack. Despite witnessing the preparation for the shooting, no witnesses came forward with information regarding the identity of the shooters.