Delaware News

Gun offenders guilty on all counts in Attempted Murder trial

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Friday, December 22, 2023


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Two men have been found guilty of all charges relating to a January 2022 violent crime spree, marking the final conviction in a massive four-defendant indictment.

Walike Parham, 24, and Kyair Keys, 20, could face life in prison for their roles in an eight-day violent crime spree involving four shootings, including one that shattered the windows of a nearby daycare while three infants were inside, along with multiple vehicle thefts and high-speed pursuits.

“The defendants in this case gravely endangered our community, including three infants who were put in serious danger,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendants will now face the consequences for their crimes — collectively more than a century in prison time. I’m grateful for the jury and judges’ verdicts, for the safety of the victims, and for the police and prosecutors who have been working successfully to reduce gun violence across our state.”

“These arrests, and the investigation that followed, interrupted a crime spree that involved multiple shooting incidents and other violent crimes that posed a serious threat to our community,” said Chief Wilfredo Campos. “I appreciate the efforts of our investigators and our collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office to hold these violent offenders accountable for their actions.”

Parham faces a minimum mandatory 61 year sentence, while Keys’ minimum mandatory sentence is 49 years.
Convictions like Keys’ have contributed to a precipitous drop in gun violence in Wilmington: murders in Wilmington have fallen by about 50% since 2020. Shootings statewide have declined by about 30% in the same period.

Parham was found guilty of three counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felon, two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, two counts of Conspiracy 1st Degree, two counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief, and Resisting Arrest.

Keys was convicted of Attempted Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Attempted Assault 1st Degree, five counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, two counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Conspiracy 1st Degree, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, and Resisting Arrest.

Two other co-defendants were previously convicted. Markel Richards, 21, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Jahmir Morris-Whitt, 21, will be sentenced to 7-12 years in prison in 2024.

These convictions were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Jill Schroeder and Jenna Milecki, with support from DOJ Social Worker Lisa Rapko, Paralegal Cait Lynam, Administrative Assistant Jessica Quillen, and Trial Management Analyst Ted Griffin. The investigation was led by Det. Brendan Wham of the Wilmington Police Department.

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Gun offenders guilty on all counts in Attempted Murder trial

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Friday, December 22, 2023


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

Two men have been found guilty of all charges relating to a January 2022 violent crime spree, marking the final conviction in a massive four-defendant indictment.

Walike Parham, 24, and Kyair Keys, 20, could face life in prison for their roles in an eight-day violent crime spree involving four shootings, including one that shattered the windows of a nearby daycare while three infants were inside, along with multiple vehicle thefts and high-speed pursuits.

“The defendants in this case gravely endangered our community, including three infants who were put in serious danger,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendants will now face the consequences for their crimes — collectively more than a century in prison time. I’m grateful for the jury and judges’ verdicts, for the safety of the victims, and for the police and prosecutors who have been working successfully to reduce gun violence across our state.”

“These arrests, and the investigation that followed, interrupted a crime spree that involved multiple shooting incidents and other violent crimes that posed a serious threat to our community,” said Chief Wilfredo Campos. “I appreciate the efforts of our investigators and our collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office to hold these violent offenders accountable for their actions.”

Parham faces a minimum mandatory 61 year sentence, while Keys’ minimum mandatory sentence is 49 years.
Convictions like Keys’ have contributed to a precipitous drop in gun violence in Wilmington: murders in Wilmington have fallen by about 50% since 2020. Shootings statewide have declined by about 30% in the same period.

Parham was found guilty of three counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felon, two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, two counts of Conspiracy 1st Degree, two counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief, and Resisting Arrest.

Keys was convicted of Attempted Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Attempted Assault 1st Degree, five counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, two counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Conspiracy 1st Degree, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, and Resisting Arrest.

Two other co-defendants were previously convicted. Markel Richards, 21, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Jahmir Morris-Whitt, 21, will be sentenced to 7-12 years in prison in 2024.

These convictions were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Jill Schroeder and Jenna Milecki, with support from DOJ Social Worker Lisa Rapko, Paralegal Cait Lynam, Administrative Assistant Jessica Quillen, and Trial Management Analyst Ted Griffin. The investigation was led by Det. Brendan Wham of the Wilmington Police Department.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.