A substantial 75-year prison sentence was handed down to Stephawn Tate. According to a report from Fox Baltimore, Tate, found guilty on multiple counts, including Second-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, is set to serve a minimum of 10 years without parole. The incident, dating back to November 13, 2020, took place on W. North Avenue in Baltimore, where Rodney Grinage was fatally shot in broad daylight.
In the sentencing, State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates remarked, "This was a brazen act of violence by a repeat offender who showed a complete disregard for public safety and the law," according to the Fox Baltimore coverage.
He said that cases like this scare innocent people and wants the sentence to send a strong message to Tate and others who might follow a similar path.
Details provided by WMAR2 News reveal the brutality of the crime: surveillance footage showed Tate initially pointing a gun at Grinage, followed by a struggle between the two men. Tate overcame Grinage before standing over him and firing multiple shots. Authorities reported that the victim, Grinage, sustained six gunshot wounds, including two to the back of the head and one to the chest.
After the shooting, there was a high-speed chase that ended in a crash involving Tate. Driving a BMW SUV, he hit two cars and then flipped over. He tried to run away but was arrested. The crash caused the death of an unborn child and seriously injured his pregnant passenger. The prosecution, led by Assistant State's Attorney Megan Gallo, closed the case, bringing justice for the victim and the City of Baltimore.
