Baltimore Officer Taken Off Life Support Week After Being Shot

BALTIMORE, MD — One week after being shot in an ambush in Curtis Bay, a Baltimore policewoman was taken off life support and died, officials said.

Officer Keona Holley was 39. She was assigned to the Southern District and had been with the Baltimore Police Department for two years.

Two people were charged in connection with the shooting after police found Holley shot in her vehicle when they were called to a crash at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16. She had been parked in the 4400 block of Pennington Avenue when someone came from behind her vehicle and shot inside, according to investigators.

Holley was reportedly shot twice in the head, once in the leg and once in the hand.

Elliot Knox, 31, and Travon Shaw, 32, were both charged with attempted murder. The pair was also charged with murder in the shooting death of Justin Johnson, who was killed in the 600 block of Lucia Avenue about an hour after Holley was shot.

Knox owned the car that sped away from Holley's shooting, and when questioned by police, he said that while he was there, Shaw fired the shots that critically injured Holley, according to the Baltimore Sun.

After days of her health deteriorating, Holley was taken off life support in a decision made by her doctors and family, officials said Thursday.

“Our prayers are with Officer Holley’s family and loved ones, co-workers and the entire community," Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said in a statement Thursday. "I thank her and the entire BPD community for their commitment, service and sacrifice. We mourn Officer Holley’s death together and we will heal together."

A Tribute to Fallen Police Officer Keona Holley

End of Watch: December 23, 2021 pic.twitter.com/7EoT6Vk2SH
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) December 24, 2021

The mayor also offered his condolences.

“Baltimore will never forget Officer Holley’s sacrifice and commitment to making a difference in her beloved city," Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. "I ask that everyone please keep Officer Holley’s family in your prayers as they endure the holiday season without their mother, daughter, sister and loyal friend."

The Baltimore Police Department is offering free counseling to all of its employees.

Those who want to donate to the family can do so through the Signal 13 foundation at signal13foundation.org. People can write “In support of Officer Holley” in the notes box online or in the memo field of a check. The foundation is a nonprofit that provides support for Baltimore police officers and their families. Donations are tax deductible and will be used to support the family of Holley.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this report.

See Also:

• Officer Is Critical After Shooting, $118K Reward For Info: Police
• 2 Arrested In Baltimore Officer Shooting; Victim On Life Support