Defendant Sentenced to 60 Years for ‘Unprovoked’ Shooting of Sister and Her Boyfriend

By Tahlia Williams [former] - June 20, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore man was sentenced to two 25 year sentences on June 18 for the attempted murder of his sister and her boyfriend. 

Michael Harris, 36, was sentenced before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill on the charges of attempted second-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, firearm use in a felony violent crime and discharging a firearm in the city of Baltimore in connection to an event that occurred on Nov. 9, 2022. 

Harris, represented by defense attorney Matthew Connell, was previously found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 8 before Judge Fletcher-Hill, who also presided over his sentencing. At sentencing, the prosecutor said he was found guilty on the basis that this crime was “unprovoked” and Harris “hunted them down.” 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on Nov. 9, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers located a crime scene on the 3200 block of East Madison Street, however, no suspects or victims were located on the scene. Two victims walked into Johns Hopkins Emergency Department, one with a gunshot wound to the side of the face and the other suffering from seven gunshot wounds to his body.

Harris and an unidentified black male entered the parking lot of the Tire King tire shop and confronted the two victims, demanding his sister move from in front of the man. The sister refused to move, and Harris began shooting, “pulling the trigger multiple times and leaving them for dead,” said the prosecution during his sentencing. 

The prosecutor, who gave the victim’s statement to the court on the behalf of Harris’ sister, expressed that her life will never be the same, and she will no longer be able to interact with her family or kids as she once did.

The defendant’s sister said she suffers from hearing loss in her right ear and nerve damage to the right side of her face. 

The prosecution recommended the maximum sentence as this would be Harris’ third conviction. Harris was on probation for second-degree rape and had only been released from prison six months prior to shooting.

Ultimately, Harris was sentenced to two 25 year sentences for two counts of attempted second-degree murder and 10 years for illegal possession of a firearm. All sentences will run consecutively. He must also serve five years of supervised probation upon release.