On the afternoon of May 25, 2024, a drive-by shooting in the 900 block of North Dukeland Street in Baltimore left 17-year-old Denzel Johnson dead and a 15-year-old male wounded. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert around 3:42 p.m. and found both teenagers; Johnson was pronounced dead at a local hospital while the other teen was treated for his injuries.

Homicide detectives identified suspects quickly. Police arrested 22-year-old Korey Hopson the same day after he fled into a wooded area; 27-year-old Charles Robinson was also arrested. Investigators recovered a white 2023 Nissan Rogue they say was used in the shooting. Prosecutors relied on DNA, latent fingerprints, and GPS data from the rental vehicle at trial, while defense attorneys argued that DNA in the car did not prove guilt.

A jury convicted both Korey Hopson and Charles Robinson of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and related charges in Johnson’s killing and the non-fatal shooting. Sentencing was scheduled for January 8, 2026. Does anyone have information about Denzel’s life or the neighborhood around North Dukeland Street that could help explain what led to this attack?