BALTIMORE — The alleged gunman in a 2022 cold case murder has been charged.
Kenneth Lawson, 20, was found dead along the southbound MD-295 ramp in Baltimore's Westport neighborhood.
Baltimore man who murdered his alleged carjacker as payback charged
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said Carter was carjacked by Lawson and his associates one day before the murder.
Carter's vehicle, cell phone, shoes, and watch were all taken by Lawson.
A cell phone tracking app pinged Carter's stolen phone to Bakbury Court, near where Lawson lived.
The next day, Lawson turned up dead. Bates believes he was either kidnapped or lured to the Westport area to be killed.
“The facts alleged in this case paint a disturbing picture of the retaliatory violence that plagued our city in 2022 and continues to surface today," said Bates. "This case underscores how crimes such as carjackings can escalate into devastating, life-altering acts of violence. Let me be clear, no one deserves to be murdered and left discarded on the side of a road."
Kurt Bjorklund, the State's Attorney's Office cold case unit chief, told reporters he'd spoken with Lawson's family.
“[Lawson's family members] were very pleased. They were very appreciative of the work. We had a very candid conversation with them to let them know to be patient with the process, and we have a very good relationship with them in terms of contact.”
WMAR-2 News asked Bates what prolonged the investigation for four years, and what led to Thursday's announcement; Bates credited the establishment of a relatively-new cold cases division, and lower murder totals in recent years.
“Back in 2022 and 2023, our office was doing triage," Bates explained We had 300 some odd murders. The prosecutors were carrying 25-30 murder cases apiece. Then they had 25 open investigations. We've now with a lower murder rate, the prosecutors are able to focus and go back and look at certain cases.”
Bates said the investigation is still ongoing, and did not go into detail on whether the Lawson and Carter had a prior relationship. He did not say for certain whether more arrests were coming.
