A suspect who police say is well known to them turned down a plea offer before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Oct. 13. The defendant, Tavon Elijah Bean, 28, was apparently stalking two other suspects who were caught on surveillance video committing a robbery.
Bean is charged in a 14-count indictment with two counts attempted first-degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in the commission of a felony or violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, reckless endangerment, handgun on person, did fire and discharge any gun within the Baltimore City limits and illegal possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, the incident initially unfolded on March 9 around 11:30 p.m when security cameras captured two men wearing dark clothing and face masks approaching two other men on the 5400 block of York Road near Pizza Boli’s. Then the suspects pulled guns from their waistbands and pointed them at the two victims.
Based on the surveillance video, one of the suspects took a backpack from the victims, then ran toward the 500 block of Turnbridge Road.
Meanwhile, police say, Bean was seen nearby talking to a person in a blue Volkswagen Taos. According to the investigating officer who patrolled the area for 13 years, Bean is familiar “through his frequent presence in the area and numerous investigations and police reports.”
Bean, clad in a gray sweatsuit and carrying a black satchel, was said to have seen the two black robbery suspects, “which appeared to raise his suspicion,” said the report.
Bean ran to the Volkswagen, which proceeded toward the 500 block of Harwood Avenue. According to the police narrative, Bean was seen running toward the robbery suspects. Shortly thereafter, police say, Bean fired one round toward the robbery suspects, then in pursuit of the pair, two other shots were heard.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Volkswagen was heard to yell, “Get in the car!”
No word on what happened to the suspected robbers, the robbery victims, or whether anyone was injured. Later surveillance video is said to show Bean holding a black handgun.
Bean, according to court records, is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions, including second-degree assault, possession of controlled dangerous substances with intention to distribute and motor vehicle theft.
During the hearing, Bean’s attorney, Roya Hanna, rejected a prosecution plea offer of life, suspending all but 25 years, for attempted first-degree murder, a consecutive 15 years, the first five years without parole, for firearm use in the commission of a crime of violence, and a consecutive five years without parole for firearm possession with a felony conviction for a total of life, suspending all but 45 years, the first 10 years without parole, and five years of supervised probation.
Hanna said she’s still working through the pre-trial evidence.
Even if the complaining witness isn’t available, the prosecutor said she could still prove her case.
Judge Copeland set Bean’s trial date before Judge Judge Nicole K. Barmore for Jan. 12, 2027, which is before the Hicks speedy trial deadline of Feb. 7, 2027.
