In the summer of 2017, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 22-year-old Louis Cody Dorsey Young in Baltimore, Maryland. An African-American male with a promising future, Young was pursuing a career in the insurance industry and was described by his stepfather as a lovable 'big teddy bear' who had a passion for football. His life was tragically ended when he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting at a BP gas station in the 3300 block of Garrison Boulevard.
The incident, which occurred in July, was not believed to have targeted Young directly; rather, it's thought that the assailants were firing at the vehicle he was in.
Surveillance footage from the gas station captured the harrowing moment when two men exited a silver Volkswagen and opened fire. Young was struck multiple times and was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The brazen shooting launched an intensive investigation by the Baltimore Police Department. Through tips and collaborative efforts with the Baltimore County Police, authorities were able to identify one of the suspects as 25-year-old Samuel Lee Cooper. At the time he was identified in connection with Young's murder, Cooper was already in custody on separate charges related to auto theft and burglary from an incident that occurred on July 11, 2017. The Volkswagen seen in the surveillance video had been linked to other crimes.
Following his arrest for the murder of Louis Cody Dorsey Young, Samuel Cooper faced a series of charges including first and second-degree murder, assault, and gun possession. In March 2019, Cooper pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and related charges. Subsequently, in August of that same year, he was sentenced to two life sentences plus 38 years in prison. Cooper had a prior conviction for attempted murder from when he was 15 years old. While one perpetrator was brought to justice, the investigation suggested the involvement of at least one other individual who has not been publicly identified or apprehended. Young's mother expressed a sentiment of somber victory following the sentencing, acknowledging the shared suffering of both her family and the family of the convicted, while hoping for closure.
