On a Friday evening in Annapolis, Maryland, the life of 32-year-old Edward Montre Seay, a rising rapper known as 'Tre Da Kid,' was cut short by gun violence. On June 7, 2019, while driving his vehicle near the intersection of Forest Drive and South Cherry Grove Avenue, shots rang out. Seay was struck in the head, causing his car to crash. When police arrived at the scene of the single-vehicle accident, they discovered Seay inside, suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the car with Seay at the time of the shooting was unharmed.
The investigation into the homicide of the beloved local artist, who was known for his community involvement and inspirational music, quickly led authorities to a suspect. Less than two weeks after the shooting, Annapolis police arrested James Esau Davis III of Baltimore in connection with the murder. The investigation suggested that the shooting may have stemmed from a neighborhood dispute that had occurred earlier that day. A witness in the car with Seay identified the shooter, and this, combined with other evidence, led to Davis's arrest. Davis, who was 30 years old at the time of his arrest, was charged with first and second-degree murder, as well as other related offenses.
Ultimately, James Esau Davis III pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. In October 2021, he entered a guilty plea to being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. In April of the following year, a judge sentenced Davis to ten years in prison. He was given credit for time already served since his arrest in 2019. While an arrest and conviction brought a measure of closure to the case, the community continues to mourn the loss of a talented musician and devoted father who was taken too soon.
