In the Penrose neighborhood of Baltimore, the afternoon of February 12, 2020, was shattered by gunfire. When the violence subsided, 22-year-old Deonte Henderson, a Black male, lay dead at the scene in the 600 block of Wyanoke Avenue, the victim of a fatal shooting. The incident, which occurred around 4:15 p.m., marked another life lost to the city's persistent gun violence.
The investigation into Henderson's death led authorities to a violent North Baltimore gang known as the '39 babies' or 'green team,' a group linked to multiple homicides and attempted murders that had terrorized city neighborhoods. The violence was often retaliatory in nature. In July 2020, a sweeping indictment was brought against eleven members of the gang, connecting them to a string of violent crimes, including the murder of Deonte Henderson.
Among those charged was Karon Johnson, identified by prosecutors as a high-ranking member of the gang. In February 2024, Johnson, then 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one for the death of Deonte Henderson and another for the fatal shooting of London Stuckey on December 13, 2019. As part of his plea, Johnson admitted his role in Henderson's killing. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with all but 40 years suspended. Another member of the gang, Pierre Briggs, was also convicted on charges of participating in a criminal organization and illegal firearm possession, receiving a 35-year sentence with 20 years suspended. The convictions brought a measure of justice for the victims and marked a significant step in the effort to dismantle the violent criminal enterprise.
