Hearing Rescheduled for Man Accused in Deadly Shooting of 3-Year-Old Honesty Cheadle

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The preliminary hearing for 24-year-old Charles Rucker, the man accused of fatally shooting 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle, has been rescheduled. Originally set for Friday morning, the hearing will now take place on September 26 in D.C. Superior Court.

Rucker faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, following what prosecutors and police have described as a calculated and deliberate act of violence.

A Cold-Blooded Attack

The tragic shooting took place in the early morning hours of July 5 on the 1000 block of 14th Street SE. Honesty was seated in a car with her family when Rucker allegedly approached from behind, pulled out a firearm, and fired six shots into the parked vehicle. One of the bullets struck the toddler in the head, killing her.

At a prior hearing, a judge described the incident as a “cold-blooded attack.”

“There were three other people inside that car,” the judge said, noting that even if Honesty was not Rucker’s intended target, his actions posed a grave threat to the others present.

Planned Shooting

Investigators believe the shooting was not random. According to prosecutors, surveillance evidence and eyewitness accounts show that Rucker was on the phone moments before opening fire, suggesting the act was planned and intentional.

“This seemed to be an intended shooting,” said MPD Chief Pamela Smith shortly after Rucker’s arrest. “It was not one that we believe anyone else was being sought at.”

The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, but police have previously noted Rucker’s involvement in a confrontation with housing officers and two other men prior to the killing.

Arrest and Shock in the Community

Rucker was taken into custody in July and has remained behind bars since. His arrest shocked members of the community who knew him personally.

“I was blown away,” said Raymond Cheadle, a relative of Honesty. “I was like, ‘Oh, I know him. He was just in my sister’s house. I know him.’”

For Honesty’s family, the tragedy is compounded by the betrayal of trust, as the alleged shooter was not a stranger but someone who had been welcomed into their home.

Court Delays

It remains unclear why Friday’s scheduled preliminary hearing was delayed until late September. Such rescheduling can occur for various reasons, including defense preparation, prosecutorial requests, or court scheduling conflicts.

While the delay adds another layer of frustration for Honesty’s grieving family, prosecutors emphasized that the charges against Rucker remain severe and that their case continues to move forward.

The Broader Impact

The killing of Honesty Cheadle has shaken Washington, D.C., reigniting concerns about gun violence and the safety of children in city neighborhoods. Community members have rallied around her family, holding vigils and demanding accountability for those who commit acts of violence that devastate families and communities.

Faith leaders, activists, and local officials have also called for renewed efforts to curb gun violence, citing Honesty’s death as a tragic reminder of the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

What Comes Next

Rucker’s next court date is now set for September 26, when prosecutors are expected to lay out further evidence tying him to the crime. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.

In the meantime, Honesty’s family continues to mourn while pushing for justice in her name.

“She was only three years old,” said one family friend. “She had her whole life ahead of her, and it was taken in an instant.”