Alexis Cancel-Soto will serve 30 years in jail after being convicted of the 2024 murder of 19-year-old bystander Cameran Holt on Baltimore’s Federal Hill, according to State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.
Cancel-Soto, one of three individuals indicted in the aftermath of a gunfight that killed Holt and injured another, was convicted in September 2025 of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a gun, and other firearm charges.
He pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
On October 27, 2024, authorities claimed Holt, of Anne Arundel County, was out celebrating a family member’s gender reveal when she was wounded in the crossfire of a firefight. She died around two weeks later.
Bates stated that his office was calling for a life sentence plus 30 years in jail. A judge sentenced Cancel-Soto to life in prison, with only 30 years suspended. “We remain mindful that no sentence can ever alleviate the pain of losing a loved one to violence,” Bates stated. “This family continues to carry that sadness on a daily basis, and our prayers are with them as they deal with this terrible loss. We are appreciative of their courage and the faith they placed in our office during this process. Our will to seek justice on behalf of victims and their families is unwavering.”
WJZ has requested a statement from the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, which offered legal representation to Cancel-Soto.
Devontaye Richardson was convicted of reckless endangerment but acquitted of murder and attempted murder.
Daeshaun Clark was convicted on March 6 of attempted voluntary manslaughter of the other shooting victim, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, carrying a loaded pistol, and reckless endangerment. His sentence is planned for May 12.
The shooting in Federal Hill
On November 21, 2024, Baltimore police arrested Richardson and Clark. Cancel—Soto was taken into custody on November 25, 2024.
According to police, Richardson was arguing with an unnamed male in the parking lot when both of them got into their cars. According to the documents acquired by WJZ, Richardson and Cancel-Soto opened fire on the man’s automobile before Clark discharged his pistol.
The guy was injured in the incident, while Holt, a bystander, was wounded on West Hamburg Street, according to prosecution documents.
During the trial, the former owner of the parking lot where the incident occurred testified, stating he saw several persons carrying guns on his property. He claimed he told the disputing males to leave his lot.
He claimed the driver of a purple Challenger left and then returned to drive away in his car.
Cancel-Soto’s attorney argues self-defense
Cancel—Soto and his attorneys said he fired rounds in self-defense. The attorneys claimed that the individual who was shot while driving away was the aggressor and threatened Cancel-Soto’s group that night.
The defense said the man fired multiple bullets at the gathering.
During the trial, the counsel informed the jury that Cancel-Soto was protecting others. Attorneys stated in court that Cancel-Soto had no intention of killing anyone and that it was his first time discharging a gun at someone.
Officials stated it’s unknown who shot Holt because the firearms were not retrieved.
Prosecutors claimed that Cancel-Soto went into danger and admitted to illegally carrying a firearm.
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