Javon Rivers, 42, took the stand on Nov. 5 and testified that he shot Donte Bazemore, 31, twice in self-defense during a December 2024 encounter.
According to the charging documents, Bazemore was fatally shot on Dec. 18, 2024, outside a corner store on the 2600 block of East Chase Street. Rivers is charged with first-degree murder and firearm offenses in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors have described the shooting as an ambush, while the defense has argued that Rivers acted in self-defense.
During his testimony before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yonndala A. Tanner, Rivers said Bazemore grabbed him by the throat and placed his other hand on his shoulder. Rivers testified that Bazemore then moved the hand from his shoulder toward his own pocket, prompting Rivers to pull out a firearm and shoot him twice.
Rivers told the court that he did not intend to shoot Bazemore and believed he had no other choice to protect his life.
During cross-examination, the prosecutor questioned Rivers about several previous encounters with Bazemore. Rivers testified that their first encounter involved a verbal argument. During another incident, Bazemore allegedly pulled a knife on Rivers while he was kneeling to retrieve a bag of dog food. Rivers said he did not report the incident because he was trying to avoid being assaulted.
Rivers also testified that he saw Bazemore five or six more times before the shooting, sometimes allegedly seeing him with a firearm. He said they didn’t come into contact. On the day of the shooting, Rivers testified that he had just gotten off work and went to the corner store to purchase cigarettes and blunts. He said he walked past Bazemore, who was standing on the store steps, before entering. The two didn’t recognize each other in passing.
The jury was shown surveillance footage and stills of the shooting during Rivers’ testimony. Rivers said he ran from the scene afterward and threw the firearm into the woods. He also testified that he possessed the firearm illegally and that it was not registered.
Rivers previously served four years in the Army as a unit supply specialist, beginning in 2012. During cross-examination, he testified that his military training included firearms instruction and limited hand-to-hand combat training.
Rivers is represented by defense attorney William Porter. Closing arguments and jury deliberations are set to begin on Nov. 6.
