The victim of a shooting said his life has been permanently altered during a sentencing hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Kendra Ausby on July 27.
Deaontae Fleming, 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime, and possession of a firearm in a felony or violent crime for a non-fatal shooting.
Judge Ausby sentenced Fleming to 30 years, suspended all by 15 for second-degree attempted murder, 20 years for the use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime to be served concurrently with the attempted murder count and five years for possession of a firearm in a felony or violent crime to be served concurrently with his sentence for using a firearm.
Additionally, Fleming will have five years of supervised probation, must register as a gun offender and must not contact the victim.
His plea follows a Nov. 5, 2025 incident in which he shot the victim in the neck on the 400 block of E. Baltimore Street. CCTV footage captured the victim walking up and down the block as he talked to himself, according to charging documents.
As he walked past the defendant, Fleming retrieved a firearm from his waistband and began chasing the victim. As he attempted to escape, court documents state he was surrounded by Fleming’s associates.
However, defense attorney Derrick Hamlin insists that the associates were not surrounding the victim but were only on one side.
The victim then got into a physical altercation with one of Fleming’s associates whom he stabbed. The victim was never charged with a crime. Then, Fleming shot the victim in the neck.
In a statement, the victim shared his struggles since the incident. He said he suffers memory loss and shortness of breath. Since the bullet is still in his neck, he remains in constant pain.
Further, he had to shut down his local business and subsequently became homeless. The victim has basically forgiven Fleming even though he says his life will never be the same.
Judge Ausby accepted Fleming’s guilty plea.
Before sentencing, Hamlin said the victim has “double digit convictions” that are mostly assault charges. He also said the victim is known for “terrorizing the block” and his client wanted to prevent the victim from stabbing more people.
Hamlin also pointed out that Fleming apologized for what happened, has been employed and has five children.
