The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that 18 year old Kristen Steen pleaded guilty to second degree murder and a firearm charge and has been sentenced to 33 years in prison. Steen shot and killed Jamal Mathews on New Years Eve in front of Game Stop in Southern Shopping Center.
Testimony [. . .] indicated that the confrontation between Steen and Matthews began when Steen asked “What’s cracking?”
“What’s popping?” Matthews replied.
Steen then shot Matthews. A witness testified at the earlier hearing that Steen’s greeting is used by Crips gang members. Matthews’ reply is used by the Bloods [gang].
Steen is believed to have been a resident of, and captured in, Denby Park.
Previous Wards Corner Now articles related to this murder:
GameStop murderer pleads guilty (6/17/08)
Police identify man shot at Southern Shopping Center (1/3/08)
Man dies after being shot in front of video game store in Southern Shopping Center (12/31/07)
