Sgt. Dominic Crawford had been patrolling the Southern District with Officer Keona Holley in the early morning of Dec. 16, 2021, keeping tabs on businesses that had “issues,” when he left to go refuel his police cruiser at a station for city government vehicles downtown.
As Crawford returned to his post around 1 a.m., he testified in Baltimore Circuit Court Tuesday, a call buzzed across his radio: There was a crash in the 4400 block of Pennington Ave.
Upon arrival, Crawford “observed a broken fence and a patrol car in the park,” he said. “I went to the driver’s door and I saw Officer Holley unconscious.”
She had been shot four times, including twice in the left side of her head — one of “two executions, 90 minutes apart, (in) two different neighborhoods in Baltimore” that morning, Assistant State’s Attorney Kurt Bjorklund told jurors assembled to decide the fate of one of the two men charged in the killings.
Elliott Knox, 34, is accused of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearms offenses in both killings. After jury selection Monday, his trial on those charges began Tuesday.
“Her executioner approached from the left,” Bjorklund said in his opening statement. “The evidence will show she barely had a second to realize what was happening.”
Bjorklund played video from Crawford’s body camera in court.
The footage showed him approach Holley’s police car, with a civilian already at the scene. After Crawford got Holley out of the car, the man at the scene helped provide medical assistance.
“She has a very faint pulse,” the man told Crawford, before directing his comments to Holley. “You just stay still. Don’t say nothing. Just keep fighting for that breath. … C’mon, girl. You got this!”
Medics took Holley to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she died about a week later.
The next fatal shooting that morning happened around 3 a.m., drawing officers about eight miles from the scene of Holley’s shooting, to the city’s Yale Heights neighborhood. Police found 27-year-old Justin Johnson unresponsive behind the wheel of his 1997 Lincoln Town Car.
Sgt. Frederico Dickens was the first to arrive, testifying that the vehicle was locked. He suspected Johnson was dead, which fire department medics confirmed when they were able to break the window to reach him.
“He was also executed,” Bjorklund said. “He was shot six times in the back.”
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.
Detectives would recognize a nexus between the killings once they identified a vehicle of interest in connection with Holley’s shooting and apprehended the driver, Knox. After waiving his Miranda rights, charging documents say, he spoke to investigators.
Bjorklund told jurors that Knox’s statement to police amounted to “hours of deception and lying” and that he “consistently attempted to minimize his role in these two murders.”
According to charging documents, Knox told detectives he and another man were present at both shooting scenes, but he blamed Travon Shaw for opening fire on Holley and Johnson.
A jury in October convicted Shaw, 34, of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, along with other gun offenses, in Johnson’s death. Shaw is due back in court in March for sentencing, where he faces life in prison.
He is scheduled to stand trial for Holley’s killing later in March.
While Knox initially lied to police, his attorney Natalie Finegar told jurors, he eventually came clean and even directed evidence to the place where he stored the guns used in both shootings.
“He goes and gets all the pieces of evidence and delivers it to them,” Finegar said in her opening statement.
Detectives found a .40 caliber handgun and a .223 caliber AR-style pistol at the house Knox told them about, according to charging documents. The guns allowed police firearms examiners to draw more definitive conclusions about evidence in the case.
A crime scene technician testified he collected six .40 caliber cartridge casings, and one projectile, from the scene of Holley’s fatal shooting. Dickens, the first officer at the scene of Johnson’s death, found .40 caliber and .223 caliber casings.
Firearms examiners concluded that the .40 caliber handgun recovered from the house likely fired the casings of the same caliber at both shooting scenes, police and prosecutors have said. The examiners also believed the AR-style pistol recovered by detectives fired the .223 caliber casings found near Johnson’s car.
Despite Knox’s statement, Bjorklund said, evidence will suggest to jurors that Knox shot Holley and Johnson.
Finegar disputed that claim, saying Bjorklund was relying on “assumptions” to come to that conclusion. She said Bjorklund believed Knox shot Holley because he was the second person captured on surveillance video returning to a getaway car parked about a block away.
“What my client admitted to was being an accessory after the fact,” said Finegar, adding that he also confessed to handling firearms despite being legally prohibited from doing so. “It’s still entirely possible that what my client said is what happened.”
She said Knox was not guilty.
Bjorklund said it doesn’t matter under the law whether the jury believed he was the shooter in the killings.
“When you commit a crime with another person, as a joint venture, you’re just as guilty,” he said. “He’s guilty of everything he’s charged with, whether he was the shooter or not.”
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