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By
Kayla Baize
- September 16, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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The murder trial of 20-year-old Alexis Cancel-Soto continued Sept. 12 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Nicole K. Barmore with testimony from a Baltimore Police detective and Cancel-Soto himself.
The detective confirmed that shots came from a purple Dodge Challenger, and that the driver, who is believed to have fired a gun during the incident, was never arrested. He also mentioned that Cancel-Soto was not shown on surveillance with co-defendants Daeshaun Tyreke Clark, 27, and Devontaye Richardson, 29. A search of Cancel-Soto’s home turned up no evidence linking them.
Ultimately, the case hinges on whether Cancel-Soto’s actions constituted murder or were in self-defense.
Cancel-Soto, Clark, and Richardson face charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and reckless endangerment, as well as multiple firearm-related offenses in connection to the incident, a fatal shooting that occurred Oct. 27,2024 , on W. Hamburg Street in Fells Point. The incident left 19-year-old Cameran Holt dead.
Following the detective’s testimony, defense attorney Marci T. Johnson submitted a motion for acquittal on all of Cancel-Soto’s charges except the firearm offenses. Judge Barmore denied the motion, ruling that there was sufficient evidence for jurors to consider.
Cancel-Soto then took the stand in his own defense. He describes going to a candlelight vigil for a friend known as “Chop,” and later gathering in a lot where tensions escalated. He admitted carrying a 9mm gun on his person.
“Almost everyone there had one,” Cancel-Soto testified. “There was heavy beef among the Bloods.”
Cancel-Soto further testified that the driver of the purple Dodge Challenger became aggressive after an argument over hitting car doors. In response, the driver allegedly produced an AR-15 and made threats.
“I kinda-sorta felt like something bad was going to happen,” he told jurors. “Like a shootout, or somebody was going to die.”
He emphasized that he only fired after the Challenger’s driver opened fire at him.
“I never shot toward Cameran Holt’s car,” Cancel-Soto stressed.
The prosecution questioned inconsistencies in Cancel-Soto’s statements, noting he claimed on the stand that he did not sell his gun following the incident. However, during a previous police interview that was played in court, Cancel-Soto was allegedly heard saying, “We sold the gun.”
On the stand, Cancel-Soto confirmed he gave the gun away, but was not sure why he said, “We,” during the initial interview. The prosecution argued that if Cancel-Soto truly feared for his life, he would have ran or called for help.
Johnson noted Cancel-Soto and his family harbor distrust toward the police and generally do not notify law enforcement when incidents occur.
Cancel-Soto reiterated that, while he did have possession of the gun that night, he did not know whom it was sold to.
“This would not have happened if it wasn’t for the driver of the Challenger,” Johnson concluded.
Counsel is expected to deliver closing arguments on Sept. 15, after which jurors will deliberate on Cancel-Soto’s charges.