Baltimore Witness’ homicide and non-fatal shooting data shows that perpetrators between the ages of 15 and 20 accounted for six percent of these violent incidents in 2024 and approximately five percent in 2025.
The second youngest age group, adults between the ages of 21 and 25, represented the largest identifiable perpetrator group in both years. 2024 saw 47 homicides and non-fatal shootings committed across the second youngest age group, while 2025 saw slightly less at 30. Both years, homicides and non-fatal shootings committed by perpetrators aged 21 to 25 accounted for roughly six percent of total incidents.
While data indicates that juveniles and older teenagers continue to play a role in serious violent offenses, it also shows a promising decrease in youth crime rates over the years. As of June 25, Baltimore City has only recorded five perpetrators from the youngest age group. In comparison, 2024 saw 51 perpetrators of the same age group, while 2025 saw 32–a decline of about 37 percent.
Many of the perpetrators see their cases tried and resolved in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Earlier this year, Montay Anthony Brown was sentenced to life plus 20 years for the May 6, 2024 murder of Garfield Redd. Brown was 19 years old at the time of the crime.
Court records and surveillance footage show that Brown approached the driver’s side window of Redd’s 2006 black Acura TLX near Charles Street before pulling a sawed-off shotgun from his backpack and shooting Redd in the left eye.
By the time officers arrived, Redd’s vehicle had crashed onto a sidewalk on the unit block of E. 21st Street, and Redd himself was deceased.
During trial testimony in Brown’s case, crime technicians and detectives described the investigation, including evidence recovered from Redd’s vehicle and surveillance footage obtained from nearby businesses that led to Brown’s arrest. Brown was identified through an attempt-to-identify flyer after officers recognized him from prior interactions.
During closing arguments on Aug. 1, 2025, prosecutors argued that Brown deliberately approached Redd’s vehicle and fired a point-blank shot. Though defense attorney Alex Leikus challenged parts of the investigation and argued the state failed to prove Brown’s guilt, the jury ultimately convicted Brown of all charges before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette C. Ringgold-Kirksey.
Earlier in 2025, Baltimore Police connected a 15-year-old boy to the January 2025 murder of a security guard in North Baltimore. The defendant, Alex’Xander Marasa, represents the younger end of the demographic.
Authorities believe Marasa fatally shot the victim, Jamal Anthony Davis, at a McDonald’s restaurant on the 4400 block of Reisterstown Road. Davis was killed just one week after his 38th birthday.
Marasa now faces charges of first-degree murder, robbery, and firearm use in a violent crime. Due to the severity of the allegations, he is being prosecuted as an adult. His jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 14 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong.
This year, two teenagers were arrested in connection to a triple shooting in South Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood. The suspects, a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year old boy, now face charges of attempted first-degree murder.
Although juveniles account for a relatively small percentage of defendants linked to homicides and non-fatal shootings across Baltimore City, these cases demonstrate how young offenders continue to be involved in some of Baltimore’s more serious violent crimes.
