A 17-year-old defendant, his translator and his attorney appeared before reception court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Feb. 6 to resolve pre-trial matters regarding his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man in southeast Baltimore last spring.
The defendant has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and related conspiracy and gun violations in connection to the death of Fredi Orozo Lua, which occurred March 22, 2025 on the 3200 block of Pulaski Highway.
At the scene, investigators recovered five 9mm shell casings and three live rounds. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives allegedly captured Lua sitting on steps outside a residence when two masked suspects approached him from down the street, shortly before 5 p.m.. One of the suspects was then seen repeatedly shooting Lua with a handgun before both suspects fled on foot.
According to Baltimore Police reports, officers responded to reports of a shooting and found Lua suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Lua was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:08 p.m.
Charging documents state that detectives recovered video footage at North Avenue and Harford Road that reportedly showed the suspects boarding a Maryland Transit Administration bus prior to the homicide, allowing detectives to track their movements before and after the shooting..
A witness later identified the 17-year-old defendant as one of the suspects from images taken from surveillance footage. He was reportedly seen removing a blue striped jacket before the shooting, and the clothing he wore underneath appeared to match the shooter’s.
During the hearing, the defendant was offered a sentence of life, suspending all but 60 years. Defense counsel said they would likely reject the plea, as the state had not previously disclosed the terms.
Attorneys requested that translators be made available for any potential witnesses and sought a five day trial beginning June 8. In the meantime, the defendant, as well as his attorney and translator, will reconvene Feb. 13 in reception court to discuss how the case will proceed.
