A Florida deputy says he doesn’t believe investigators will reopen Malachi Lancaster’s case despite an online petition.
It’s been nearly two years since 18-year-old Malachi Lancaster was shot and killed in Alachua, Florida. His family told investigators he was hunting with a friend.
What Happened to Malachi Lancaster
The family told WCJB that investigators told them initially Malachi fell out of a tree stand, causing his rifle to discharge.
But later, the family learned that the 16-year-old witness was 10 to 15 feet ahead of Malachi and heard the gunshot go off.
The witness was never identified, but Malachi’s mother notes in her petition that he is white, while her son was Black.
“The lieutenant stared me in the eye, and he said, ‘ Why does it matter? And I will never forget that statement. Why does it matter? Because it matters. It matters,” Malachi’s mother, Sophie Lancaster, told WCJB.
Another theory from a lead investigator suggested that the rifle could’ve been caught on a vine that could’ve pulled the trigger.
“Preliminary information indicates that the firearm was accidentally discharged,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said at the time of Malachi’s death.
The medical examiner could not confirm the incident as accidental. According to an autopsy report obtained by Atlanta Black Star, the manner of death was ruled as “undetermined” since witness stories did not match.
Lancaster said the medical examiner’s explanation of her son’s injuries did not support the witness’ account of what he said happened.
“The medical examiner was like, it doesn’t add up. So for us, we’ve had this information and these misstatements, and we’re patiently waiting for the report,” Lancaster told WCJB.
Family Fights for Answers
The grieving mother claimed a month after Malachi died, the father of the witness replaced all of the shrubbery with rock landscaping. She said that led her to hire another investigator.
“[Law enforcement’s] response was yes sure. Then I said, well then, how can I do this if the scene has been modified and now it’s rock landscaping? Then they looked at me and said, well, it’s private property; they can do what they want,” she said.
The sheriff’s office confirmed with Atlanta Black Star that Malachi’s father is a deputy with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. One spokesperson for the department said all of the deputies knew Malachi and were devastated over his death.
“We would bend over backward, but there’s nothing more we can do,” the deputy said. He did not provide his name.
He told Atlanta Black Star the department has reviewed the case multiple times, even sending it to Orlando for state investigators to look at.
“Sorry, but you don’t have anything more than a tragic accident,” the deputy said.
He added that Malachi’s mother still calls the sheriff’s office every once in a while to get an update on the investigation, despite it being closed.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to Malachi’s family but has not heard back.
