A damaged fence juts into Pennington Avenue after being knocked down when a Baltimore Police officer was shot and crashed through the fence into Curtis Bay Park early Thursday morning.
Expert witnesses testified for the prosecution Thursday in the trial of a man charged with fatally shooting Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley and 27-year-old Justin Johnson in less than two hours three years ago.
The testimony of a firearms examiner and DNA analyst, both with the Baltimore Police Department, linked guns collected as evidence in the shootings to the defendant, Elliot Knox, and another suspect. Knox, 34, is standing trial on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearms offenses stemming from the shootings on Dec. 16, 2021.
During an hours-long interrogation, shown in court earlier this week, Knox confessed to being present during both shootings — while blaming another man for pulling the trigger — and directed investigators to a house where he had stored the guns: a Glock 22 handgun, which fires .40 caliber rounds, and an AR-style pistol, which propels .223 caliber bullets.
Holley was ambushed around 1:30 a.m. while sitting in her patrol car in the 4400 block of Pennington Ave. in Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood. She was shot in the head twice, with bullets damaging her brain and neck, and died in the hospital about a week later.
Johnson was gunned down in his car around 3 a.m. in the 600 block of Lucia Ave., located in the Yale Heights neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore. He was shot six times, all in the back, injuring his spine, lungs and heart, and died at the scene.
Crime lab technicians collected six .40 caliber cartridge casings from the area where Holley was shot. They found two .40 caliber casings and one .223 caliber casing from the scene of Johnson’s death. All of the casings were submitted as evidence in the shooting and, eventually, sent for further analysis.
Firearms examiner Daniel Lamont testified about comparing the casings to each other under a comparison microscope, which allows an analyst to look at two pieces of evidence at the same time. Once he received the guns detectives recovered, Lamont said, he test fired them, collecting the casings ejected. He compared those casings to the ones collected at the crime scenes.
Lamont said he believed all of the .40 caliber casings picked up as evidence were fired by the same gun, and they were all “consistent with” having been fired by the Glock 22 handgun. He also said the .223 caliber casing from the scene of Johnson’s death was “consistent with” having been fired by the AR-style pistol.
Firearms examiners like Lamont once may have testified that a specific gun fired specific bullets, but the Supreme Court of Maryland last June placed limitations on what examiners could say in court. Recognizing limitations in the practice of firearm “toolmark” analysis, the state’s high court ruled that the most an examiner could say was that microscopic markings on an evidence bullet were consistent, or inconsistent, with bullets for which they know the gun that fired them.
A homicide detective who participated in the search of the house Knox identified as having the firearms from the shootings, and another residence, testified Tuesday about finding boxes of bullets of different calibers, gun cleaning kits, along with standard and high-capacity magazines.
The AR-style pistol had a homemade “brass catcher” affixed to it to collect casings ejected during firing, the homicide detective said in court. It also was loaded with a 30-round magazine duct-taped to another that was facing the opposite direction — another improvisation for quick reloading.
Defense attorney Natalie Finegar suggested during opening statements that the accomplice was responsible for both shootings, even though two different guns were used in Johnson’s killing.
During cross examination by Finegar, Sgt. Frederico Davis, who was the first officer at the scene of Johnson’s shooting, testified about how he originally hypothesized that one shooter opened fire with a rifle that jammed and then switched to a handgun.
Lamont said he test fired the AR-style pistol with the same magazine it was found with, though it was lighter because he only loaded three bullets, and that it functioned like it was supposed to.
DNA analyst Michael Lawson said both Knox and Shaw matched a profile of genetic material collected from the pistol. Lawson said his analysis could not determine a profile for the DNA taken from the Glock handgun.
Knox admitted during his interrogation to handling the guns while allegedly hiding them for his accomplice, Travon Shaw.
A jury found Shaw, 34, guilty in October of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearms offenses in the fatal shooting of Johnson. He faces life at sentencing March 28, the same day his trial in Holley’s killing is set to begin. His public defender declined to comment.
The homicide detective who located the guns, which were secreted in backpacks in a bedroom closet, as Knox had said, testified about finding masks and gloves alongside the weapons.
Knox’s trial will resume Monday.
Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun
Orioles ceremonial first pitch was an honor to Baltimore heroes. (From left to right) Kortez Baker, son of fallen Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley; Michelle Henninger, mother-in-law of fallen Firefighter and paramedic Lieutenant Paul Butrim; Mila Sadler, daughter of fallen Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler; Santiago Lacayo, brother of fallen Firefighter and paramedic Kenneth Lacayo; Firefighter John McMaster all throw out the ceremonial first pitches before Opening Day game against the Brewers on April 11, 2022
Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun Media
The mother of Baltimore City Police officer Keona S. Holley is escorted up to accept a plaque in honor of her daughter during the Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens on Friday, May 6, 2022.
The burial site - a memorial area for first responders, receiving its first after recently being completed - for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park Tuesday., Jan. 11, 2022. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
The burial site that was recently completed to offer resting place for first responders. Slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley will be memorialized and interred at King Memorial Cemetery.
Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun Media
A plaque honoring the life of fallen Baltimore City Police officer, Keona S. Holley, is seen during the Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens on Friday, May 6, 2022.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
With Baltimore Police behind, Shante Wells who works at Drink at the Well, speaks to those gathered during a prayer vigil at Curtis Bay Park for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions salute as family walk behind the wheeled casket for the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
Drivers on the outer loop of I-695 watch as the procession approaches during the funeral for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley Tuesday afternoon.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Muzzle flash emits during a three-volley salute during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police march to participate in the three-volley salute during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police officers place the casket of Officer Keona Holley in a hearse following her funeral at the Baltimore Convention Center on Tuesday.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police officers escort the casket of Officer Keona Holley to the hearse following her funeral at the Baltimore Convention Center on Tuesday. Holley was gunned down in her police cruiser last month as she worked an overtime shift in Curtis Bay.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Law enforcement salute during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Law enforcement salute during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Law enforcement salute during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
Police from multiple agencies line I-695 as the hearse passes during the funeral procession for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley Tuesday afternoon.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Family and friends of Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley stand outside the Baltimore Convention Center following her funeral on Tuesday. Holley was gunned down in her police cruiser last month as she worked an overtime shift in Curtis Bay. Jan. 11, 2022.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Floral tributes honoring Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley are carried outside the Baltimore Convention Center after her funeral on Tuesday, Jan. 11. She was gunned down in her police cruiser as she worked an overtime shift in Curtis Bay. File. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun).
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
Member for the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Dept. salute as the hearse passes during the funeral procession for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley Tuesday afternoon.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
The casket is removed to take to the interment spot during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
A miles long procession of police vehicles leads the funeral procession for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley Tuesday afternoon.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions move to their positions during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park on Tuesday., Jan. 11, 2022.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
Officers move forward in a funeral procession for Baltimore police officer Keona Holley, who was shot on December 16, 2021 and died a week later.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Color guards from multiple jurisdictions cast winter shadows on the frozen ground while taking their positions during the funeral for slain Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley at King Memorial Park.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun
Police from multiple agencies line I-695 as a motorcycle procession leads the funeral procession for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley.
Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun
The American flag flying between Baltimore City Truck 6 and Baltimore County Truck 18 is reflected on a car in the funeral procession for Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley. Holley was gunned down in her police cruiser in December as she worked an overtime shift in Curtis Bay.
Police officers leave the Wylie Funeral home after paying their respects to fallen Baltimore City Police Officer Keona Holley, as others wait for their turn to enter. The public viewing for Officer Holley will continue on Monday, Jan. 10, and the funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 11. Officer Holley was fatally shot while parked in her police car in Curtis Bay on Dec. 16, and died one week later. Jan. 9, 2022 p1
A tear streams down Gendell Hayes’ cheek as she writes, “”Job well done…” on a poster of her friend, fallen Baltimore City Police Officer Keona Holley, at the Wylie Funeral Home. Hayes, of Baltimore City, became friends with Holley when they worked together in nursing at the Rosewood Center. Hayes said they had been making plans for a vacation to Jamaica this spring with a group of friends. Officer Holley was fatally shot while parked in her police car in Curtis Bay on Dec. 16, and died one week later. Jan. 9, 2022 p3 Jan. 9, 2022 p3
People line up to pay their respects to fallen Baltimore City Police Officer Keona Holley during the public viewing at the Wylie Funeral Home. The public viewing will continue on Monday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the funeral on Tuesday at the Baltimore Convention Center. Officer Holley was fatally shot while parked in her police car in Curtis Bay on Dec. 16, and died one week later. Jan. 9, 2022 p2
Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun
Baltimore City police commissioner Michael Harrison speaks during a news conference at police headquarters to announce the arrest of 2 suspects in yesterday's shooting of Baltimore City police officer Keona Holley. December 17, 2021
Baltimore City States Attorney Marilyn Mosby speaks during a news conference at police headquarters to announce the arrest of 2 suspects in yesterday’s shooting of Baltimore City police officer Keona Holley. Dec. 17, 2021
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Police crime scene tape flutters in cold gusts of wind where the police vehicle crashed through a fence, plummeting into the park grass below as a group of mourners gather during a prayer vigil at Curtis Bay Park for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley, currently on life support after being ambushed several days ago at the park.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
The destroyed fencing still has police tape attached at the top of the hill behind the group of attendees who begin a prayer vigil at Curtis Bay Park for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley, currently on life support after being ambushed several days ago at the park Wed., Dec. 22, 2021. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Following the prayer vigil, Sharon Cottrell, organizer (left) and Shante Wells stand at the spot where Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley's prowler plummeted down an embankment.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Attendees stand during a candlelight vigil outside the Southeastern Precinct for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley, currently on life support after being ambushed several days ago by a gunman.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Wayne Adams of Dundalk stands with others during a candlelight vigil outside the Southeastern Precinct for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley, currently on life support after being ambushed several days ago by a gunman.
Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun
Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician in chief at Shock Trauma, gives an update on the condition of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay Thursday morning.
Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison crosses the street with Lawanda Sykes, sister of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police stand by during a prayer vigil outside the Southeastern Precinct for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley, currently on life support after being ambushed several days ago by a gunman.
Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stands next to the family of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay Thursday morning, during a press conference outside Maryland Shock Trauma.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stands next to Lawanda Sykes, the sister of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay Thursday morning, during a press conference outside Maryland Shock Trauma.
User Upload Caption: Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stands next to Lawanda Sykes, the sister of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay Thursday, during a press conference.
Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun
Lawanda Sykes, sister of Keona Holley, a Baltimore Police officer who was shot multiple times in Curtis Bay, speaks outside of Shock Trauma.
Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun
Tiffany Doxanas, office manager at Drink at The Well in Curtis Bay holds her eleven-year-old child Sedi Doxanas, 11, during prayer at Curtis Bay Park for Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley.
