BALTIMORE, MD—Two men have been indicted in connection with a murder-for-hire enterprise that is accused of killing seven people in Baltimore, officials announced this week.

Cornell Moore, 41, and Keith Russell, 37, were indicted by a Baltimore City Grand Jury on charges including participation in a criminal gang, first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and related offenses.

“The ongoing multi-year investigation into this violent criminal enterprise has been one of our office’s most significant efforts in our continued fight to bring justice to Baltimore,” State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates said in a statement. “With two individuals already indicted for several murders, multiple non-fatal shootings, and ties to a series of carjackings, this case represents the devastating impact a small number of violent perpetrators can have on our communities.”

Prosecutors said the men were part of a criminal enterprise that operated in Baltimore City and elsewhere in Maryland.

According to officials, the members of the organization were paid to commit acts of violence to earn respect and advance their position within the group. The enterprise was allegedly trying to establish dominance over rival gangs and drug trafficking organizations in Baltimore City.

Officials said the members of the group intimidated rivals through acts of violence, including homicides, shootings, and carjackings.

The two men are accused of fatally shooting David Reid, Shabro Meredith, Rashad Dendy, Tyree Davis, Tayvon Scott, Yahmell Montague, and Angel Smith. Prosecutors said they also tried to murder three other people.

“By working together with our law enforcement partners, we’re also showing that these criminal organizations will be dismantled and brought to justice every time,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a statement. “They will not get away with wreaking havoc on our communities and causing lasting trauma through violent actions.”

Investigators said the men used carjacked and stolen vehicles to execute many of the victims.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Metro Crime Stoppers tipline at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels