In the early evening of June 26, 2022, tragedy struck in the Frankford neighborhood of Northeast Baltimore, forever altering the lives of several families. Dametrius Savonte Johnson, a 26-year-old Black/African American male, was among a group of people gathered outside a convenience store at Frankford Plaza when a grey Honda Civic pulled into the parking lot. Four masked individuals exited the vehicle and, without warning, began shooting indiscriminately into the crowd.
The chaotic scene sent bystanders scrambling for cover as the gunmen unleashed a barrage of bullets. One of the assailants reportedly pursued a victim into a nearby store, continuing to fire.
When the gunfire ceased, the devastating aftermath became clear. Dametrius Savonte Johnson was found at the scene with critical injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital, but tragically, his wounds proved fatal. Another young man, 21-year-old Devonta Powell, was also killed in the attack, pronounced dead at the scene. A 28-year-old woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting and was hospitalized in good condition.
In the wake of the deadly shooting, the Baltimore Police Department launched an investigation, appealing to the public for assistance. Authorities released graphic video footage of the incident in the hopes that someone would recognize the four masked suspects. A reward of $8,000 was also offered for any information that would lead to the arrest of those responsible for the deaths of Johnson and Powell. Despite these efforts, the investigation has yet to result in any arrests, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains an open and active homicide investigation.
