27-year-old man sentenced to life in prison for murder on Yorkway

Damion D. Moffett, 27, was sentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 years for the Feb. 23, 2021 shooting of Deshante Young on Yorkway.

According to court documents, Baltimore County police officers from Precinct 12 responded to several calls of “shots fired” at approximately 7:52 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, they found Young lying in the road, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

A woman at the scene, identified in court documents as Young’s girlfriend, told officers she witnessed the shooting and was able to positively identify Young, 21.. Court documents also said that officers discovered two .22 caliber shell casings and one live .22 caliber bullet, along with Young’s iPhone.

According to court documents, Young’s girlfriend told officers that she and Young lived together. On Feb. 23, shortly before the shooting occurred, the two decided to buy marijuana. Young called someone to arrange the transaction. Young then called Moffett, who Young considered to be a friend, according to court documents.

Young and his girlfriend then got in a black Dodge Caravan and drove to the crime scene, 2984 Yorkway, to pick up Moffett. Young was speaking with Moffett via FaceTime when the Caravan arrived. He was telling Moffett to hurry to the vehicle.

According to court documents, when Moffett walked outside, he spoke with Young outside the rear of the minivan for 10 minutes. According to court documents, Wilson told police that the conversation seemed calm, and at no time did she hear arguing or fighting. Suddenly, she heard a gunshot, which caused her to duck down for protection. She then heard a second shot. She exited the vehicle and found Young lying on the ground, next to the driver’s side. She remained at the scene until officers arrived.

In September 2023, a jury convicted Moffett off first degree premeditated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and felon in illegal possession of a firearm. After multiple involvements in the juvenile justice system, the defendant had prior convictions as an adult for armed robbery, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, first degree assault and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Judge Julie Glass elected to sentence Moffett to life in prison without the possibility of parole based upon the severity of the crime and the prior criminal record of the defendant.