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By
Carmen Gregg
- April 16, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Dontae Johnson, 30, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, and first-degree assault on April 16.
He is set to serve an aggregate sentence of 60 years in prison, suspending all but 25, the first five years without the possibility of parole, as well as five years of supervised probation upon release, a no-contact order with all five victims, and mandatory gun offender registration.
Johnson originally faced 26 charges, including four identical sets of charges for five victims and six additional charges in connection to an Aug. 21, 2024 shooting involving four police officers and one other man.
According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to the 2700 block of Spelman Road for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the man, 33, suffering from seven life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Three Metropolitan Police security officers and a BPD officer located Johnson in the area and began chasing him. Johnson allegedly opened fire and was apprehended shortly after.
Investigations revealed nearby video surveillance footage of a man, later identified as Johnson, approaching a bus stop and shooting in the victim’s direction.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Martin H. Schreiber II allowed a representative for the victim to speak without taking an oath.
“The victims deserve to be heard in the criminal justice system,” he said. “Not only is this gut-wrenching to have to think about … it’s scary to stand up in this courtroom.”
“I don’t think Mr. Johnson should ever be allowed to walk back on the streets,” the representative said in objection to the agreement.
The prosecution noted that the victim declined the opportunity to appear in court after extensive discussions regarding the plea offer.
“I want to make it clear to the court that I am not moving forward without [the victim’s] approval, which I have,” they said.
Following emotional victim impact statements, Judge Schreiber commended the representative’s bravery.
“It’s very brave to be present here in those circumstances,” he said. “There’s also a fear of threats and so forth.”
Although the victim’s family objected to the plea agreement, Judge Schreiber ultimately decided to approve it.
“I’m going to approve this plea over your objections,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen during a jury trial – I’ve seen not guilty verdicts that surprised me.”
Following his sentencing, Johnson delivered a brief apology to the court.
“I apologize for my actions, I take responsibility for what I did,” he said.
Defense attorney Angela Shelton noted Johnson, who was previously revealed to have dropped out of high school, lived a tumultuous life, having struggled with drug abuse and a previous diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Shelton noted he has a history of taking his prescribed medications infrequently.