In the early afternoon of August 21, 2024, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet of the 800 block of South Paca Street in Baltimore. When the echo of the shots faded, 37-year-old Brian Nesbitt, a Black male, was left lying on the pavement with multiple gunshot wounds. First responders rushed to the scene around 12:25 p.m. and transported Nesbitt to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved to be too severe.
He was pronounced dead a short time later, turning a city block into a homicide investigation.
The investigation into Nesbitt's death led Baltimore Police Department homicide detectives to identify a suspect, 44-year-old Damion Thomas of Baltimore. Investigators alleged that Thomas was the individual who shot and killed Nesbitt. Surveillance footage from the area played a crucial role in the investigation, capturing a gray Dodge Journey, registered to Thomas's mother, arriving at the scene. The footage reportedly shows Nesbitt approaching the vehicle, followed by an altercation and Nesbitt falling to the ground.
On October 28, 2024, Damion Thomas was arrested at the Southern District police station and subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Nesbitt's death. He was taken to the Central Booking Intake Facility. Thomas's defense attorney argued that the evidence against his client was circumstantial, pointing out that no firearm was recovered and that it was unclear who was driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Despite these arguments, a judge denied a change to Thomas's bail status, and the case proceeded to a jury trial. Thomas was also charged with second-degree murder, assault, and several firearm-related offenses.
