Baltimore man sentenced to 25 years in 2020 murder-for-hire case

A Maryland U.S. District Court judge handed a Baltimore man a 25-year sentence Monday for his connection to a 2020 murder-for-hire case in Columbia.

Tyrik Braxton, 28, will serve his 25 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for the “use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death” connected to a murder-for-hire conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

On Oct. 4, 2020, Howard County Police responded to a shooting in the area of Basket Ring Road in Oakland Mills in Columbia, where they found Juan Ross dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Witnesses gave descriptions of the two shooters and the vehicle used, according to the plea agreement. Investigators checked video footage of a nearby Walgreens and spotted the vehicle.

Braxton and another suspect were spotted exiting the vehicle and seemingly speaking to someone else in the vehicle, according to the plea agreement.

Investigators learned that Braxton was paid to help co-conspirators kill Ross because he was accused of cooperating with law enforcement, including on a live social media conversation on Sept. 9, 2020, and in text messages.

Ross was arrested on drug and weapon charges Sept. 5, 2020, but was released on bail after being interviewed by police.

On Nov. 20, 2020, Braxton was arrested alongside Daquante Thomas and charged with conspiracy to commit murder . After arresting Braxton and searching his home, officers found a .45-caliber handgun with magazine and ammunition, a blue backpack containing $2,134 in cash and Braxton’s iPhone, according to the plea agreement.

The phone contained photos that showed Braxton’s co-conspirators in the murder-for-hire of Ross, according to the plea agreement.

Braxton’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Daquante Thomas, 22, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 35 years Jan. 11, 2023, for discharging a firearm during a violent crime causing death. Jourdain Larose, 29, of Ellicott City, was sentenced to 40 years Feb. 27 for admittedly soliciting others to kill the victim in exchange for payment.

Thomas’ and Larose’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.