Terrance Peterson, 34, pleaded guilty to felony firearm use and the first-degree murder of Carmen Rodriguez, 36, on Sept. 9.
On Dec. 22, 2019, Peterson and co-defendant Martin Brooks, 44, robbed Kim Grocery & Deli on the 100 block of N. Kenwood Avenue at gunpoint before Brooks shot Rodriguez once in the head in front of her children and infant. Both defendants fled the scene in a 2017 Black Honda Accord Sport that was rented through CarMax and seen on surveillance video.
Though medics to provided life-saving measures, Rodriguez died on scene, moments after their arrival.
Later that day, Peterson walked into the Baltimore Police Department Eastern District station and self-identified himself to officers as the man seen in the deli’s security footage, attempting to to clear his name after the footage was distributed across social media.
A search warrant was issued for Brooks’ house and 2004 Ford Taurus, in which paperwork with Brooks’ name, one pair of gloves, and a .45-caliber handgun were recovered from a purple backpack in the vehicle’s trunk. The firearm was loaded with six .45-caliber bullets in the magazine and one live round in the chamber.
Ballistics produced a probable match between the recovered handgun and the evidence found at the scene of the murder.
Peterson, who was initially found mentally incompetent to stand trial and subsequently held in a mental hospital, attended the hearing in person, having his competency retored.
Peterson’s sentencing will be held on Oct. 15. Parties agreed to arrange terms for the plea prior to sentencing.
