NEW MARKET, Md. – A Florida man has been apprehended for his alleged involvement in the murder of two people in Maryland, including a woman identified as his ex-partner, law enforcement officials reported on Monday.
The individual, identified as 33-year-old David Phillip Turner of Miami, was arrested on Saturday evening. The arrests were made by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department with assistance from the FBI. According to official sources, Turner is accused of killing 33-year-old Crimea Malita Baker and 34-year-old Sean Antoine Lange in what authorities are describing as a premeditated act of violence.
Incident details reveal that deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home located in the 7000 block of Mandalong Ct. in New Market on August 25, following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Baker and Lange at the scene. Four children, all below the age of 13, were present during the incident; they hid in a closet amidst the shooting. Subsequently, one child emerged and discovered the bodies upstairs before summoning help.
During a press conference, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins stated that Turner had traveled from Florida to Maryland with the deliberate intent to commit the murders. It was highlighted that Turner allegedly fired more than 40 shots in the attack, which Jenkins described as a “heinous, targeted double homicide” stemmed from “rage and anger.”
It was noted that Baker was originally from the Chicago area and was the mother of four children, three of whom were fathered by Turner, and the fourth by Lange. At the time, Baker and Lange were cohabiting in the residence where the crime took place.
Following a month-long investigation, Turner was identified as the main suspect. He now faces serious charges including first-degree murder, home invasion, and two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Currently, Turner is held at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Jail in Florida, pending extradition proceedings to Maryland.
The sheriff highlighted the deliberate and calculated nature of the violence, underlining the tragic outcome for the children involved. “This incident not only took the lives of two individuals but forever changed the lives of four young children,” stated Sheriff Jenkins.
The slain victims’ community and family members have been left reeling by the event, which has sparked discussions on domestic safety and the impacts of violent crime on families and neighborhoods.
Legal experts comment that the case against Turner appears solid given the charges and the nature of the crime, with proceedings expected to draw considerable attention due to the egregiousness of the act and its implications on domestic and public safety.
Community leaders and local authorities have since been advocating for stronger protective measures and resources to support families affected by domestic violence, highlighting a crucial need for systemic change to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, this case continues to underscore critical issues related to domestic violence, gun control, and community safety, resonating deeply within and beyond the local community in Maryland.