Verdict Reached In Pasadena Woman's Death In Federal Hill: Reports

BALTIMORE, MD — A man was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder in the Baltimore City killing of a Pasadena woman, multiple reports said.

WBFF reported that 20-year-old Alexis Cancel-Soto of Glen Burnie was found guilty in the October 2024 fatal shooting of Cameran Holt, 19, of Pasadena. WBFF said Cancel-Soto was the first of three defendants to stand trial in the shooting, where Holt was struck by a stray bullet in Federal Hill.

"I do want peace, and today is that peace that I needed," Roxanne Spath, Holt's mother, told WJZ.

The Baltimore Police Department said the shootout happened on Oct. 27, 2024, around 3:43 a.m. in the unit block of West Hamburg Street.

Officers said Holt was not involved in the altercation but was still struck by gunfire. She died on Nov. 7, 2024, authorities said.

Police said a 28-year-old man was also shot and hospitalized in the shootout, but he survived.

Prosecutors said Cancel-Soto and co-defendant 29-year-old Devontaye Richardson of Baltimore got into an argument with somebody that evening, WJZ reported. WBFF and WJZ said the duo and the third co-defendant, 28-year-old Daeshaun Clark of Severn, are accused of then firing shots at a fleeing purple Dodge Challenger and hitting the uninvolved Holt with a stray bullet.

"Cameran Holt would do anything for anyone," Spath told WBAL-TV on Monday.

Cancel-Soto admitted to firing his gun that night, the assistant state's attorney said, according to WBFF. WBAL said prosecutors used photos and videos to pin Cancel-Soto at the crime scene. They alleged that Cancel-Soto ran toward the danger, WBAL said.

WJZ said the defense alleged that Cancel-Soto fired the shots in self-defense. His attorney said the fleeing driver had threatened Cancel-Soto's group and fired shots at them multiple times, WJZ reported.

WJZ added that it's still unclear who shot Holt because investigators never found any guns.

"There is no evidence he fired the shot that hit and killed Ms. Holt. Plus, they were friends. He'd never shoot at her car on purpose. No gun was ever recovered from him, and if you look at the video, you'll see he's scared and anxious. He even goes to the bathroom," the defense attorney said, according to WBAL. "He didn't intend to kill anybody that night. He didn't intend to fire his weapon that night."

WJZ said Cancel-Soto was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder for a man who was injured in the shooting, attempted first-degree murder of that man, illegal possession of a gun and other firearm charges.

WBAL said Cancel-Soto's sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3. His codefendants will stand trial next month, WBAL reported.

Related:

• 3 Arrested After Pasadena Woman Fatally Shot In Federal Hill: Police
• Pasadena Woman Donates Heart After Fatal Federal Hill Shooting: Report