Johnston Square Murder Defendant, 'Too Old For Jail'

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A Baltimore man accused of shooting and killing a 33-year-old at the Johnston Square Apartments last winter received a trial date before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on May 10.

Tyrone Kirby Epps, 63, is accused of fatally shooting Paul Lee, 33, on Nov. 13, 2024. In connection to Lee’s murder, Epps is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use, reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person, and firearm possession with a prior disqualifying felony conviction. A warrant was issued in May the same year for Epps’ arrest, but never served.

According to charging documents, at approximately 8:50 a.m. the day of the incident, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Central District officers responded to the apartment lobby in the 500 block of E. Preston Street.

Upon arrival, officers located Lee unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medics transported Lee to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.

Apartment staff who were familiar with Epps identified him as the alleged shooter.

Investigators recovered high-definition audio and video surveillance footage from the apartment’s lobby. Footage captured people said to be Epps and Lee engaging in a verbal altercation before Epps allegedly produced a gun. Lee attempted to take cover from the gunfire, but Epps was apparently able to shoot him before fleeing on foot.

An eyewitness positively identified someone said to be Epps from a photographic array. Officers additionally conducted a phone interview with an individual supposedly familiar with Epps. She alleged Epps called her that morning saying “he had just shot someone, and he was too old for jail.” She disclosed Epps intended to go to railroad tracks in West Baltimore and commit suicide.

Lee’s murder prompted questions about why law enforcement allowed Epps to walk free despite multiple previous arrests since 1998.

Epps and defense attorney Mary L. Patton agreed to a trial starting Sept. 11.

Johnston Square Murder Defendant, ‘Too Old For Jail’