In the summer of 2018, the life of 27-year-old Jorge Baez of Boston was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire. On the night of July 25, Jorge and his brother, Ashby Baez, were driving in an Audi in Dorchester after visiting friends. A silver Honda CRV began to follow them, pulling up alongside their vehicle at a traffic light on Blue Hill Avenue.
After a brief, tense interaction, Jorge drove away, but the Honda continued its pursuit.
The chase ended on Norfolk Street when Jorge's Audi stopped at another traffic light. The Honda pulled into the oncoming traffic lane, stopping next to the driver's side of the Audi. Moments later, occupants of the Honda unleashed a barrage of gunfire into the brothers' vehicle before speeding off. Jorge Baez was struck in the torso and died at the scene. His brother Ashby was shot in the head and, though he survived, was left permanently blind in both eyes.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly. Within days, Boston police arrested 21-year-old Odell Sanders. Investigators determined that Sanders was the driver of the Honda CRV and had maneuvered the vehicle to facilitate the attack. While Sanders did not fire any of the shots himself, he was charged in connection with the murder under the principle of "joint venture." Ballistics evidence revealed that at least three different guns were used in the shooting.
Odell Sanders was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder for his role in the death of Jorge Baez. The passengers in his car who fired the fatal shots were never publicly identified or charged. The court upheld his conviction, affirming that his actions in driving and positioning the car were integral to the coordinated and deadly assault.
