In the early morning hours of September 30, 2023, a dispute at a local Easton, Maryland bar escalated to a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 23-year-old Antonio L. Smith. The male victim was at the Sidetracked Saloon on East Avenue when an altercation occurred. Shortly after the dispute, at approximately 1:52 a.m., Easton Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene with a large crowd
gathered in the parking lot and Antonio L. Smith suffering from a gunshot wound. Law enforcement began life-saving efforts until paramedics arrived and transported Smith to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation into the shooting led police to identify a suspect and the vehicle in which he fled. A bulletin was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies, and with the assistance of the Cambridge Police Department, the suspect's vehicle, a Ford Explorer, was located in Cambridge. A traffic stop was conducted, and police took two individuals into custody. The driver was identified as 32-year-old Chadnee G. Harris of Hurlock, and the passenger was 34-year-old Kevron L. Chase of Cambridge.
Further investigation revealed that Chase had been involved in the altercation with Smith at the Sidetracked Saloon. Authorities allege that following the dispute, Chase brandished a firearm and shot Smith. Harris is then said to have driven Chase away from the scene.
Kevron L. Chase was charged with first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm in the use of a felony, and illegal possession of a regulated firearm. Chadnee G. Harris faces charges of accessory after the fact to first and second-degree murder and accessory after the fact to a felony. Both were transported to the Talbot County Detention Center following their arrests.
