On the evening of February 14, 2023, a Baltimore Police officer was near Belair Road and Sinclair Lane when the sound of gunfire pierced the night air. Responding to the 1900 block of East North Avenue, the officer discovered 18-year-old Dionte Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. Medics were called to the scene, but the young man, a male, was pronounced dead from his injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 8:05 p.m.
outside a BP gas station on the 1900 block of Belair Road.
The investigation into the shooting led police to identify a Honda Accord that fled the scene. This vehicle was registered to Davon Evans, who was later identified as the getaway driver for three individuals who shot Williams. During the initial police investigation, Evans provided misleading and inconsistent statements before eventually admitting to his role in the murder.
Davon Evans, 23 years old, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, handgun charges, and conspiracy in connection with the fatal shooting. He later pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder. During the sentencing, Williams' mother gave an emotional victim impact statement, describing the immense pain her family has endured and asking for a life sentence for Evans. Evans offered an apology, stating that his actions had extinguished his own dreams of becoming a professional boxer. His defense attorney argued that Evans had not anticipated that the other individuals intended to kill Williams, believing they were only going to 'beat him up.'
The prosecution argued for a sentence of life with all but 30 years suspended, emphasizing that Williams might have survived if Evans had not acted as the getaway driver. Ultimately, a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge sentenced Davon Evans to life in prison with all but 15 years suspended, to be followed by five years of supervised probation. The identities of the three shooters remain unknown.
