Closing Arguments Presented in Mondawmin Mall Shooting Trial

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Closing arguments were delivered in the trial of a 20-year-old defendant before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard on charges stemming from a shooting incident on Dec. 29, 2023, at Mondawmin Mall.

Darrien Gaither is charged with 22 counts, including attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle and two other firearm-related charges for allegedly shooting a 50-year-old male and two others.

During the prosecution’s closing arguments, video surveillance footage was presented to the jury, allegedly showing Gaither exiting the mall with a group before opening fire in the parking lot.

One of the victims was a 50-year-old UPS delivery man who was struck in the ankle, which left him unable to continue his work. Another two unidentified victims were also injured during the incident.

The prosecution argued that Gaither’s actions posed a reckless threat to not just victims, but also to everyone in the parking lot.

Defense attorney Natalie Finegar pointed out the absence of Gaither’s DNA and fingerprints on the scene, suggesting that charges against Gaither were built more on assumptions than facts.