A jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of Anthony “Troy” Ross, 26, before Judge Jeannie J. Hong on May 14.
Ross was found guilty of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and having a handgun on his person. A verdict was not rendered on the charge of second-degree murder.
Ross was convicted of the death of 23-year-old Lavar Steeles, who was shot multiple times just after midnight on June 13, 2025 on the 1500 block of W. Fayette Street. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert, but Steeles was not found at the scene. He was transported to a hospital where he died shortly after.
Prosecutors argued that surveillance footage, phone l data, DNA evidence and eyewitness testimony identified Ross as the shooter. The footage showed a man in Burberry shorts and black and white shoes – resembling one of Ross’s Instagram posts – running up to Steeles, leaning over a nearby vehicle, and opening fire.
Additionally, investigators recovered 11 shell casings and a firearm light attachment at the scene. Ross’s DNA was found on the attachment.
The prosecution’s key witness, the mother of the Steeles’ child, stated that she saw a masked man with gloves firing shots before later identifying Ross.
“I promise you on my child’s life Troy is the one who killed him,” the woman said.
The prosecution added that Ross’s cellphone placed him less than a tenth of a mile from the shooting.
Defense attorney Lawrence Rosenberg urged jurors to scrutinize the state’s evidence, arguing that the key witness’s testimony was inconsistent and DNA testing was delayed without explanation. Rosenberg also questioned the prosecution’s use of Instagram photos showing Ross wearing an outfit similar to what was captured in surveillance footage.
Ross is scheduled to return to court before Judge Hong on Sept. 15 for sentencing.
