Homicide suspect Dedrick Darron Coates, 36, appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Copeland on Sept 29.
According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a shooting on the 400 block of South Gilmor Street on May 5, 2026. Upon arrival, police located Musa Witherspoon, 31, and transported him to a nearby hospital where he later was pronounced deceased. His death was ruled a gunshot homicide.
According to witnesses, Coates and the victim were in dispute over a trade regarding the defendant’s red Honda dirtbike, and the victim’s 2007 Honda Accord sedan. Witnesses and surveillance footage captured a Dodge Ram truck fleeing the scene at the time of the incident.
Detectives reportedly recovered the same Dodge Ram truck and the victim’s Honda Accord on April 25, from the 1800 block of Penrose Avenue. Inside the truck, police allegedly found documents addressed to Coates. An eyewitness later identified a person said to be Coates as the one who shot Whiterspoon, and fled in his Dodge truck.
Coates is charged with first degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with felony conviction, handgun on person, and handgun in vehicle.
The next hearing l hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
