Strip Mall Shooting Suspect to Stand Trial in September

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A man accused of shooting at multiple people outside the Frankford Plaza strip mall is set to stand trial from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16 in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Judge Melissa K. Copeland presided over the May 9 scheduling hearing.

Zavon Beasley, 21, faces a total of 27 charges, including four counts each of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and firearm use in a violent crime; five counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree assault, and seven other firearm-related charges.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 19, 2024, at approximately 6:09 p.m., officers responded to the shopping center at the 5300 block of Frankford Avenue for a report of a shooting. Officers were unable to locate a victim upon arrival, but recovered five shell casings from the area, one of which was found near a relatively large pool of suspected blood.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., unknown individuals transported a 24-year-old male victim to Franklin Square Hospital. The victim, who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his right forearm, reported he was shot at the strip mall.

Video surveillance footage with audio recovered from the area captured an assailant said to be Beasley arguing with multiple people outside a tobacco shop in the He was seen leaving before returning approximately two minutes later, shouting at the group.

Beasley allegedly opened fire at the victim and multiple others as they exited the tobacco store. They attempted to hide behind a blue Honda that was parked directly out front. A 3-year-old girl was seated in the vehicle at the time but did not sustain any injuries.

Beasley’s September trial is set to last three days.