A 19-year-old man pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of two victims, including a juvenile, who were shot in their ankles on E. Redwood Street last summer.
On Jan. 20, Deamarco Smoot accepted a negotiated plea offer with Baltimore City’s State’s Attorney’s Office, alongside defense attorney Avrohom Greenfield, for a shooting at 7 E. Redwood Street around 6 p.m. on June 1, 2025. Smoot was sentenced to 30 years, suspending all but eight years, and five years of supervised probation for attempted second-degree murder and a concurrent five years without parole for using a firearm in a crime of violence. He is also required to register as a gun offender.
The prosecutor dismissed the remaining 17 charges against Smoot, including one additional count each of attempted first- and second-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and several assault and weapons charges.
During the proceeding before Judge Anthony F. Vittoria, Smoot was initially offered 30 years, suspending all but 10 years, for the attempted second-degree murder charge. Greenfield argued for a slightly reduced sentence because the prosecution is expected to recommend Smoot serve two years for violating his probation for resisting arrest in October 2024.
According to the prosecution, Central District police were called to the scene and found a man and a male juvenile suffering from gunshot wounds to their left and right ankles, respectively. Both were taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center for treatment.
The prosecution told Judge Vittoria that both victims were aware but not in attendance of Tuesday’s proceeding. Three of Smoot’s family members sat in the gallery during the proceeding.
Although police found one 9mm shell casing and blood on E. Redwood Street, the prosecutor explained, city surveillance footage showed officers a man dressed in black and another man dressed in bright pink with the victims in the parking garage at 30 Light Street. The suspect in black was seen pointing the handgun at the victims in the garage; however, the other suspect — later identified as Smoot — took the handgun and shot both victims once they were near the intersection of Light and E. Redwood streets.
An officer who had previous interactions with Smoot identified the defendant from a “be on the look out” flyer.
Smoot agreed to the prosecution’s revised offer following further muted conversations between counsel. The defendant was informed by his attorney and Judge Vittoria that the sentencing judge in his other case will ultimately decide his penalty for violating probation.
