Narell Brown, 16, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy on May 5.
Brown was initially scheduled to stand trial today on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, multiple firearm-related offenses and several counts of conspiracy. The charges stemmed from an Aug. 22, 2025 fatal shooting on the 700 block of Druid Park Lake Drive that left Davonne Hare, 26, dead. Investigators later learned Brown shot Hare while attempting to rob him.
Investigators later reviewed several CCTV cameras that captured both the shooting and the suspect’s movements before the incident. The footage showed a masked individual approaching Hare, producing a handgun and fatally shooting him.
Evidence recovered from the scene included a black cellphone and charger belonging to Hare, one 9mm shell casing and one 9mm projectile.
A witness told detectives they heard someone say, “Give me what you got,” moments before the fatal gunshot.
Police also recovered footage from a nearby store that had been recorded earlier that night. The footage showed the same suspect wearing a white T‑shirt with a logo on the front. At times, he was seen unmasked, giving investigators a clearer view of his appearance.
Witnesses later identified Brown as the suspect.
Defense attorney Judit K. Otvos asked the court to consider imposing a lighter sentence based on Brown’s age and several mental health considerations. She also requested that the court recommend Brown to a treatment-centered correctional facility and supervised probation, rather than the maximum term of life.
Brown testified in court that the last time he met with a therapist was two months ago and claimed he is not currently on any medication. He also confirmed he was entering the guilty plea voluntarily and knowingly.
Judge Handy accepted the plea. Brown is now set to be sentenced on June 2 before Judge Kendra Y. Ausby.
