Life Plus 35 Year Sentence for Defendant Who Murdered His Childhood Friend Less Than 48 Hours After Being Released from Prison

Baltimore, Md. (February 19, 2026) – Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that Defendant Matthew Crawley was sentenced to Life plus 35 years for the fatal shooting of Taijah Addison in the 700 block of Yale Avenue. The Defendant was found guilty at trial of First-Degree Murder, Use of a Handgun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Regulated Firearm as a Prohibited Person.

“Nothing can undo the devastating loss suffered by Mr. Addison’s loved ones. Our hearts remain with them as they continue to grieve a life taken far too soon. The facts of this case reveal a deliberate and senseless act of violence committed just 48 hours after the Defendant was released from prison—a heinous act that ended the life of someone he knew and trusted. The Defendant's actions demonstrate that he wishes to spend the rest of his life in jail, and our office has given him what he asked for,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “Today’s sentence of Life in prison plus 35 years reflects the severity and depravity of this crime and ensures that the individual responsible will never again be able to harm our community. We are grateful for the diligent work of law enforcement and prosecutors, and we hope this outcome provides some measure of accountability and reassurance to the victim’s family that justice has been served.”

On March 6, 2025, Baltimore Police responded to the 700 block of Yale Avenue for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, 28-year-old Taijah Addison, in the driver’s seat of a blue Honda Odyssey van. Mr. Addison was shot multiple times in the head and chest and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives located video of the shooting from multiple angles that showed an individual exiting a residence and walking up the street. About a minute later, the blue Honda Odyssey is seen driving past that residence, then reverses and parks in front of it. The man seen leaving the residence earlier in the footage can then be seen getting out of the passenger side of the van, walking around to the driver’s side, and then shooting into the driver’s side window numerous times. The shooter then pauses for a moment before firing twice more into the driver’s side window. Then the shooter picks up the casings and goes back inside the home. No other people can be seen leaving or entering the vehicle.

The shooter remained inside the house for about a minute before exiting and walking in the direction of the 500 block of Yale Avenue. Less than 10 minutes later, officers were canvassing for the shooting suspect when they located an individual wearing the exact same clothing in the rear of 500 Yale Avenue near a dumpster. That individual was identified as Matthew Crawley. Officers also found a firearm with casings that were later tested and found to be consistent with the casings from the crime scene.

48 hours before the shooting, the Defendant was released from incarceration after serving a 10-year sentence in a Baltimore County criminal case for four counts of First-Degree Assault and two counts of Use of a Handgun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The Defendant was also convicted of an assault he committed on a correctional officer while incarcerated.