ATF, Baltimore Police Announce Arrest in Double Homicide
BALTIMORE, Md. – Today, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division and the Baltimore Police Department announce the arrest of two suspects for the murders of 21 year-old Diamond Davis and 20 year-old Pedro Chesley that occurred on November 21, 2020 in the 700 Block of Grantley Avenue.
BPD Homicide detectives along with members of the ATF investigated this double murder and through their extensive investigation, they were able to connect and arrest 22 year-old Charles Baldwin and 20 year-old Mizell Taylor to the killings. Both have been officially charged with first-degree and second-degree murder.
Baldwin and Taylor were located inside a home in the 700 block of Grantley Street and were taken into custody as a result of the law enforcement partners executing a search and seizure warrant, and were charged on matters unrelated to the murders. Investigative leads gleaned from NIBIN and crime gun intelligence aided detectives and Special Agents in identifying the suspects.
Both Baldwin and Taylor are being held without bail.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of Mr. Chesley and Ms. Davis,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “I want to thank the men and women of our homicide unit that worked alongside the ATF in identifying and arresting these two suspects responsible for taking the like of two of our young people. This case would not have been possible without our ongoing partnership with the ATF and the use of crime gun intelligence in bringing these suspects to justice.”
“It is devastating to see two young people who cared about one another and had such promising lives ahead of them, to include serving our country, have all of that cut short because of an act of senseless violence,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones. “We offer our condolences to the family and assure them that Pedro and Diamond have always remained present in the thoughts of Special Agents and Detectives as they worked together to identify the shooters. ATF will continue to focus its efforts alongside the police department to stop anyone using firearms to cause crime and violence in Baltimore communities.”
"First, my family and I would like to thank Detective Ceasar Muhammad and Detective John Cox and their help to catch these cowards. Truly my family would like to thank the Mayor and the police department especially Detective Muhammed. There were hard times when we had concerns and we contacted him and he lifted us up. We also appreciate the work of the state's attorney's office to help catch these cowards, and we are happy that they are no longer able to walk the streets. We know this will not bring my son back but we are thankful for the work of the mayor, state's attorney's office, and the police department to help reduce crime in Baltimore City. A message to all of the young children of Baltimore City, if you are thinking of pulling a trigger think long and hard because you will never understand how you affect the surviving families and loved ones. Every day we light a candle at the gun memorial and it is unbelievable our son lost his life on his own turf, as he signed up to protect and serve as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. Again to all the young children think again before you pull the trigger,” said Gregory Chesley and Ruth Russell.
“Diamond Davis was the light of any room she walked into. She impacted everyone who had just a few seconds to interact with her. Last November, two cowards extinguished her light and took her away from us. And it feels as if a piece of us is gone. We have been robbed of seeing her grow into becoming a woman, a mother; and I won't be able to walk her down the aisle. She will be missed by so many. We want to think all the detectives who have worked on this case to bring my family and the Chelsey family Justice,” said Vernon Davis Jr., the father of Diamond Davis.
Special thanks to the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance on this case.
