On the early morning of December 10, 2025, a violent incident occurred in Baltimore, Maryland, claiming the life of Daquan "Benny" Parker, a 26-year-old Black male. At approximately 1:30 a.m., law enforcement officers responded to reports of gunfire outside a Royal Farms convenience store located on the 1500 block of Russell Street, situated directly across from the Horseshoe Casino. Upon arrival, police discovered Parker suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a barrage of up to 60 shots during the attack, which left dozens of evidence markers scattered across the gas station lot. Despite the immediate response, Parker was pronounced dead. A second victim, identified as a 22-year-old man, was also struck during the shooting but managed to seek treatment at a local hospital and was listed in stable condition.
The timing of Parker's death drew significant attention due to his recent involvement in the city's criminal justice system. Earlier that year, in January 2025, Parker had been acquitted by a jury of first-degree murder charges related to the March 2024 killing of 19-year-old Rasheed Lindsey. Parker had been accused alongside a co-defendant, Gerald McEachern, in that case. Investigators noted that Parker was gunned down on the very same day that McEachern's trial for the Lindsey murder was scheduled to begin. Following Parker's death, court proceedings for McEachern were postponed as authorities worked to determine if the two events were connected.
As of late December 2025, no arrests had been made in connection with Parker's murder. Homicide detectives described the investigation as open and ongoing, with police examining surveillance footage from the gas station and surrounding areas. Reports indicated that investigators were interested in a Tesla seen in the vicinity and trails of blood that might belong to a fleeing suspect. An $8,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, but the perpetrator remained at large.
