Man found dead near Gwynns Falls Trail as police charge suspect in West Baltimore stabbing

Homicide investigation centers on discovery along West Baltimore Street

A man was found dead in West Baltimore after an incident investigators later determined was a stabbing death, leading to a murder arrest, police said.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Dashond Johnson. Police said Johnson’s body was discovered on the morning of January 20, 2026, in a wooded area in the 2800 block of West Baltimore Street, near the Gwynns Falls Trail. Responding officers and firefighters recovered an adult male who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police reported that signs of trauma were observed on the victim’s body.

Timeline: death date and discovery date differed by more than two weeks

Investigators later determined Johnson was killed on January 2, 2026—18 days before the body was discovered, police said. The department did not publicly detail how investigators established that date, nor did it release information about where the stabbing occurred.

In an update issued January 22, 2026, police said homicide detectives arrested a 30-year-old man, Eric Jones, in connection with Johnson’s death. Police said Jones was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged with first- and second-degree murder.

What remains unknown

Authorities have not publicly released key details that often shape early stages of homicide investigations, including a possible motive, whether the victim and suspect knew each other, or whether additional suspects are being sought. Police also have not said whether a weapon was recovered or whether surveillance footage, witness statements, or forensic evidence played a role in the arrest.

Community reporting and investigative leads

Police urged anyone with information to contact investigators at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

• Location cited by police: 2800 block of West Baltimore Street, near the Gwynns Falls Trail
• Date body was discovered: January 20, 2026
• Date investigators said the victim was killed: January 2, 2026
• Charge announced: first- and second-degree murder

Police said the victim’s body was recovered after a report of a body in the water near the Gwynns Falls Trail.

As the case moves through the court process, additional details may emerge through charging documents and future hearings. For now, police have identified one suspect and filed murder charges in connection with the January stabbing death.