On the afternoon of June 11, 2024, 19-year-old Deontay Townes was found with multiple gunshot wounds on the 2600 block of Aisquith Street in East Baltimore, near Clifton Park. He was taken to a hospital and died a few hours later. A woman was also wounded in the same shooting and survived.

Family described Deontay as charismatic and outgoing, with a passion for building things and a love for animals. His mother, Kimberly Townes, said he had been struggling with mental health challenges and had been in treatment; she said the last few months of his life had been particularly difficult.

Baltimore City police identified a suspect within two weeks. Eighteen-year-old Jamal Smothers was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and held in central booking without bond; a preliminary hearing was scheduled for early July. If anyone knew Deontay, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.