In the Pigtown neighborhood of Baltimore, Deon Beasley was a cherished figure. The 36-year-old Black man, affectionately known as "Rio," worked at a local barbershop and dedicated himself to his community, often volunteering to clean the streets and help senior citizens. A father and a friend to many, he was known for his bright smile and for always having a joke to share.
Friends described him as a "superstar" and a "bright light" in the area.
On the afternoon of January 12, 2024, at approximately 4:13 p.m., gunshots rang out in the 800 block of Washington Boulevard. Police, alerted by a ShotSpotter notification, arrived to find Deon Beasley suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, but his injuries were fatal. Surveillance footage would later show two masked individuals exiting a silver minivan, shooting Beasley, and then fleeing the scene on foot.
Immediately after the shooting, officers spotted a silver Honda Odyssey minivan that appeared to be fleeing the area and gave chase. With assistance from the Foxtrot aerial unit, the pursuit ended when the minivan collided with a police vehicle and struck a guardrail. Officers took two occupants into custody for questioning, though they were later released.
The investigation continued, and police eventually arrested four men in connection with the murder: Terrill Barfield, James Hammond, Lakeem Whitaker, and Jarvis Joyner. Barfield, Hammond, and Whitaker were charged with first- and second-degree murder. Joyner was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and multiple handgun violations.
The cases proceeded to trial. Prosecutors alleged that Terrill Barfield acted as the getaway driver and Jarvis Joyner served as a lookout, having dropped the two shooters off at the barbershop. On July 28, a jury found both Barfield and Joyner guilty on multiple charges related to their roles in the killing. The trial for James Hammond took place later. As of October 2026, the jury in Hammond's case had begun deliberations.
