In the early morning hours of the Fourth of July in 2022, the sound of gunfire echoed through a Baltimore neighborhood, leading to the discovery of 42-year-old Leroy Jeter III. A Black male, Jeter was found by patrolling officers at approximately 3:12 a.m. in the 400 block of North Montford Avenue, suffering from numerous life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and transported him to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased despite efforts to save his life.
The investigation into Jeter's death continued for over a year and a half before a suspect was publicly identified. In February 2024, the Baltimore Police Department announced the arrest of 34-year-old Martez Brooks in connection with the murder. Members of the Warrant Apprehension Task Force took Brooks into custody, and he was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in Jeter's death.
During Brooks' trial, which began in October 2024, a police officer testified to being called to the 400 block of North Montford Avenue around 3:30 a.m. on the day of the incident, where he discovered Jeter's body near a white van amidst a significant amount of blood. The prosecution's case against Brooks reportedly includes surveillance footage from the vicinity of the crime scene and a hat containing DNA that is likely a match to Brooks. Martez Brooks faced charges including two counts of first-degree murder, firearm usage in a felony or violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, and transporting a handgun.
