On a summer day in Baltimore, Maryland, tragedy struck 38-year-old William Smith. On August 11, 2021, on the 3500 block of West Belvedere Avenue, Smith was fatally shot in an act of violence that would later be connected to a man with a lengthy criminal history. The incident cut short the life of a man who was a father to an 8-year-old son and left his family devastated.
The investigation into Smith's death led to the arrest of 53-year-old Shawn Brewton.
Brewton was subsequently charged with first and second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and firearm use in a felony-violent crime, as well as a drug-related charge. Prosecutors would later reveal that Brewton's alleged violent spree on that fateful August day did not begin with Smith. Just 45 minutes prior to Smith's death, Brewton is also accused of killing 41-year-old Santiago Loyal.
After a four-day trial, Shawn Brewton was found guilty of second-degree murder in November of 2023. During the sentencing hearing in April 2024, the prosecution highlighted Brewton's extensive criminal record, which spanned three decades, and his apparent lack of remorse for his actions. A heart-wrenching victim impact statement from William Smith's sister was read in court, expressing the profound pain and anger of a family torn apart. The defense attorney pointed to Brewton's long-standing drug problem as a contributing factor to his criminal behavior. Ultimately, the judge sentenced Shawn Brewton to 40 years in prison for the murder of William Smith.
