A 21-year-old shooting defendant was acquitted of all charges on June 24, just hours after counsel delivered closing arguments in the case.
Davon Matthews, 21, was acquitted of attempted murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use, and two gun offenses. He was initially charged in connection to a Sept. 14, 2025, shooting that occurred on the 300 block of Light Street. An 18-year-old man was injured in the confrontation.
The previous morning, defense attorney Roya May Hanna urged jurors to find Matthews not guilty of all charges. Hanna argued the state failed to prove intent to kill and maintained that the evidence supported claims of self-defense. She added that investigators could not definitively determine who fired first during the shooting.
Hanna argued that surveillance footage and witness testimony left unanswered questions about how the incident began. She contended that police failed to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and could not establish whose gun fired the shot that struck the victim.
The defense pointed to video footage showing individuals crossing the street before gunfire erupted and argued Matthews was attempting to protect himself and his sister. The defendant reasonably believed he was in danger and acted out of fear for his safety, she said. Hanna also referenced testimony that Matthews had been warned to “watch your back” before the shooting.
The state argued that surveillance video, witness testimony, and physical evidence proved that Matthews fired the gun with the intent to kill.
Video footage reportedly showed the victim walking with others shortly before the shooting. The state argued the victim neither followed nor threatened Matthews, and maintained Matthews initiated the confrontation.
The state also referenced shell casings recovered from the scene and argued the physical evidence was consistent with their theory of the case.
After attorneys rested their cases, jurors reached an early verdict before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.
