Baltimore Man Guilty In Odenton Murder, Robbery

ODENTON, MD — A Baltimore man has been found guilty of fatally shooting an Odenton man during a robbery and attack. Antonio Eugene Diggs, 30, from the 3700 block of Saint Victor Street in Baltimore, was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and related charges by an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court jury.

Nathan Antoine Ford, 24, from the 2200 block of Conquest Way in Odenton died from gunshot wounds after he was shot on Jan. 13. Authorities say he was shot by Diggs in a random act of violence.

"Antonio Diggs stole the life of one man, and immediately set out to put another life in danger," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a news release. "While I know the tragic loss of Mr. Ford weighs heavy on the hearts of his loved ones, I hope his family, as well as our community in general, find some solace in the knowledge that his assailant has been brought to justice."

Ford walked from the New Starr Inn in Odenton toward his home on the 2200 block of Conquest Way on Jan. 13. As he walked through a wooded area and onto Canteen Circle, Ford was approached by Diggs, who was armed with a large caliber revolver. Prosecutors say Diggs demanded that Ford give him his cell phone, then fired four shots, striking Ford once in the side of the head and once in the left thigh.

The victim ran from Diggs and made it to the side yard of his home before collapsing on the ground, where he died from his wounds, police say.

Police learned that about 40 minutes after killing Ford, Diggs robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a supermarket. He pleaded guilty to this armed robbery on Sept. 19. Sentencing for Diggs is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Photo of homicide suspect Antonio Eugene Diggs, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police