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By
Sage Cho
- February 27, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor sentenced homicide defendant Devon T. Young to a total of 30 years on Feb. 27 for his involvement in the murder of Damond Price.
Young was initially charged with first- and second-degree murder, firearm possession with a previous felony conviction and firearm use in a felony or violent crime. A jury found him guilty on July 30, 2024 of all charges but the panel rendered no verdict for first-degree murder.
On Jan. 27, 2022, officers were dispatched to Lorelly Avenue in the Parkside neighborhood in response to a shooting. Upon arrival, they located Price suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to Bayview Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Following an autopsy two days later, medical examiners ruled his death a homicide.
Investigators placed the crime scene at the parking lot of Lorelly and Sinclair Gate Apartments, a housing development for low income residents. They recovered 16 9mm casings, five .22 casings, a black bag and an Apple iPhone that was later revealed to be Young’s.
According to charging documents, video surveillance footage from the area captured Price approaching a four-door car in the parking lot. The rear passenger was seen exiting the car and shooting Price with two handguns. The driver followed suit with a rifle.
Officers detained Young on Feb. 18, 2022 after obtaining a search and seizure warrant, noticing Young’s car driving through the Northeast District with an unnamed female passenger. Police recovered a Glock 48 9mm pistol “in plain view,” along with a new Apple iPhone and new Motorola cellphone. Young was immediately charged with a handgun violation for the Glock 48.
“The firearm was never used in commission of a crime,” Young told Judge Taylor. “It was for my protection and my protection alone.”
Young said he took part in several Maryland high school football state championships and enrolled at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to study business management, but dropped out within a year after the school canceled his major. He claimed he was “not a violent person” and never has been.
Judge Taylor reviewed six character reference letters from Young’s family and girlfriend, all of which described him in some capacity as “encouraging,” “kind-hearted and calm,” “and a natural born leader.” Several of said family members were present at the hearing.
Young expressed remorse for his actions and delivered an apology to the victim’s family.
“I do want to offer my condolences to the victim’s family,” he said. “I don’t think anyone should have to go through anything like that.”
The prosecution recommended a total sentence of 75 years, noting that a total of four guns between three individuals was used to shoot and kill Price.
Defense attorney David Walsh-Little objected to the sentencing suggestion, saying that Young, who was 21 at the time of the crime, should be given room to grow as a person.
“This person was lured and gunned down, pretty much execution-style,” Judge Taylor said. “Mr. Young, you had all the advantages – a good school, a good family – and now you’re here.”
He ultimately sentenced Young to 25 years for second-degree murder, five consecutive years for firearm possession with a previous felony conviction, and five concurrent years for firearm use in a felony or violent crime, amounting to a total of 30 years of time to be served.
Counsel and Judge Taylor agreed to set the start date of Young’s incarceration for Feb. 6, 2022.