FORESTVILLE, Md. — A man who shot and killed an Applebee's employee back in May of 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison plus 80 years. Investigators say 24-year-old David Isaiah Yates shot and killed Anthony Evans, an employee of the restaurant on Donnell Drive, and injured two others back in May.
Maryland State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy held a news conference Tuesday to announce Yates' sentencing.
Investigators say on the night of the shooting, employees and a group of customers argued over the closing time. As they were gathering outside, before heading home, a car driven by Keith Cook, in which Yates was riding passenger, pulled up.
Police say Yates fired over the top of the car, striking Evans, 38, and two others who survived.
“This was truly just an act of vengeance and cowardness,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Sherrie Waldrup during the sentencing hearing. “Mr. Yates wanted to show people he was someone who needed to be feared.”
Yates was found guilty of first-degree murder and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit murder on August 4. Investigators say his co-defendant, Cook, pled guilty to accessory after the murder and was sentenced today to 10 years suspend all but 5.
“With today’s sentence, Mr. Yates will be held accountable for his reckless actions,” said State’s Attorney Braveboy. “This started out as an enjoyable evening at a restaurant and ended tragically for the victims, which is sad. We lost Mr. Evans and fortunately, the two other victims survived – I will continue to pray for all their families as they move forward.”
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