A fatal shooting outside a Southeast Baltimore corner store has come down to one central question: Was it murder or a decision made out of fear for one’s life?
After hearing hours of testimony and closing arguments, a jury is now deliberating the fate of Javon Rivers, 42, who is charged with first-degree murder and related firearm offenses in connection with a Dec. 2024 shooting that left 31-year-old Donte Bazemore dead.
On Dec. 18, 2024 on the 2600 block of East Chase Street, officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire at approximately 3:12 p.m. and located Bazemore suffering gunshot wounds.
Investigators arrested Rivers on Jan. 20, when he was subsequently charged with first-degree murder.
On Nov. 6 proceedings began with the defendant, Javon Rivers, seated alongside defense attorney William Porter. Judge Yolanda A. Tanner presided over the case.
During closing arguments, the state maintained that surveillance footage contradicted Rivers’ claim of self-defense, showing him waiting outside the grocery store, shooting Bazemore twice and approaching him again before fleeing.
The state maintained that the shooting was intentional, emphasizing that the recovered knives and brass knuckles found on Bazemore did not appear to have been used anytime recently.
Defense attorney Porter argued that the footage failed to show what happened immediately before the shooting, leaving unanswered questions about who initiated the confrontation.
He maintained that Rivers feared Bazemore because of previous alleged encounters involving the victim using knives and brass knuckles to harass and assault people.
The defense also reminded jurors that the prosecution carries the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, arguing that rivers had no obligation to prove self-defense.
In rebuttal, prosecutors challenged Rivers’ account, questioned how he could have known Bazemore was armed and argued that the footage recovered did not support his claim of immediate fear.
The case ultimately revolves around the claim that Rivers only acted to protect himself.
Deliberations are underway.
