Suspect in Army Sergeant Killing Proceeds to Trial

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Jamal Smith, 33, entered a not guilty plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard on June 18. Smith will proceed to trial in October.

Smith is charged with first-degree murder and multiple charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and felony firearm use in connection to a mass shooting that occurred in June 2022.

Smith is accused of murdering Army Reserve Sergeant Ryan Harris, 25, and shooting and injuring two others. Video footage of the incident shows a man identified as Smith engaging in a verbal altercation with the men. After it escalated, Smith reportedly produced a gun from his hoodie and shot at the three victims.

The incident occurred on the 200 block of Redwood Street, near the Inner Harbor.

All were taken to the hospital, where Harris was pronounced dead. Video footage allegedly captured the shooter fleeing the scene. An eyewitness later identified the shooter as Smith, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Smith remained at large for over a year- and-a-half. He was eventually taken into custody in January 2024, following a barricade incident on the 1400 block of N. Milton Ave during which detectives realized he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Smith was initially slated for a jury trial last October, but faced repeated postponements in his case.

Smith’s case will now proceed into jury selection and trial.