Harbor East Homicide Defendant Pleads Guilty

Baltimore, Md. (February 12, 2026) – Today, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Defendant Quontay Spinks pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, First-Degree Assault, Attempted Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and First-Degree Attempted Murder. The Defendant fatally shot 36-year-old Antonio Peoples in September 2024 at the 700 block of Aliceanna Street and non-fatally shot Mr. Peoples’ girlfriend. The Defendant also pled guilty to several other cases today for offenses that occurred before and after this homicide. Sentencing for all cases is scheduled for April 27. Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Gallo prosecuted this case.

“Quontay Spinks came to Baltimore with a clear and dangerous intent — to terrorize our residents and visitors — and his actions took the life of Antonio Peoples while nearly claiming another. This defendant’s actions show a troubling pattern of violence that ultimately culminated in a devastating tragedy for an innocent family and our community. Today’s guilty plea is the first step in holding him accountable for the harm he caused,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “While nothing can undo this loss, we hope this outcome brings Mr. Peoples’ loved ones closer to a sense of justice and affirms our unwavering commitment to protecting the people who live in our neighborhoods, work in our businesses, and visit our city. I thank the Baltimore Police Department’s Homicide Detectives and ASA Gallo for ensuring accountability for the defendant’s heinous act, justice for the victim, and closure for the family.”

On September 14, 2024, Baltimore Police reported to the scene of a reported shooting in the 700 block Aliceanna Street where located a victim, later identified as 36 year-old Antonio Peoples, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Recovered at the scene were four fired projectiles, 11 fired 7.62 cartridge casings, 16 fired .40 cartridge casings, 10 fired 9mm cartridge casings, five fired unknown rifle casings, suspected blood, and clothing.

Investigators from the Homicide Unit located nearby surveillance footage that captured the homicide. The victim and his girlfriend are seen standing outside The Ruxton restaurant when a dark-colored vehicle parks adjacent to them. The suspects emerge from the vehicle and point firearms at Mr. Peoples and his girlfriend as they approach them. They then attempt to rob the couple of their necklaces. Mr. Peoples resists and, at some point, disarms one of the suspects and begins shooting back as he is injured on the ground. The suspects then shot and killed Mr. Peoples before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored vehicle, which was later determined to be a Toyota Camry. Mr. Peoples’ girlfriend was grazed by a bullet and treated for her injuries.

Detectives analyzed CCTV footage of the suspects, both before and after the incident, and linked it to additional ballistic and forensic evidence, which led to the identification of Quontay Spinks. Investigators then acquired Pertinent Digital and Cellular data associated with the Defendant, which revealed him to be in close proximity to the homicide around the time of the incident and fleeing the scene.

Detectives located the Defendant in Washington, D.C. on November 1, 2024. After being properly advised of his Miranda rights, he agreed to speak with detectives without an attorney present and admitted to attempting to rob the victim of the necklace and subsequently shooting the victim. The Defendant also admitted to involvement in various other incidents that occurred from September 12, 2024, to October 4, 2024, and pled guilty to those cases, including an Attempted First-Degree Murder case, two Armed Carjacking cases, and four Armed Robbery cases.