A Baltimore man charged in a fatal 2025 shooting rejected a plea offer before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong on June 15, opting instead to proceed to trial.
The defendant, 40-year-old Braxton Day, is charged with manslaughter, firearm use in a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and possessing a firearm without a serial number. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of 49-year-old Bryant Breland, which occurred the evening of May 31, 2025.
Authorities claim the shooting occurred outside a Family Dollar store on the 600 block of Cherry Hill Road. During opening statements, prosecutors alleged that Breland approached Day and struck the defendant, while his back was turned. A brief physical altercation ensued, leading Day to produce a handgun and allegedly shoot Breland. Day then flee across the Family Dollar parking lot and discarded the weapon beneath a parked vehicle.
Prosecutors said a police officer arrived moments after the shooting and began rendering aid to Breland but was unable to prevent his death.
Defense attorney Maureen O’Leary argued that Day acted in self-defense. According to O’Leary, Day “feared for his life and defended himself, and that’s why he’s not guilty.”
O’Leary added that the defendant did not know Breland and said the victim allegedly reached for the firearm during the altercation. According to defense counsel, Day was an employee at the Family Dollar and had stopped by to purchase a beer. He had been standing outside when the confrontation occurred and Breland suddenly struck him, said O’Leary.
Court records show prosecutors offered Day a plea of 30 years on the manslaughter charge and probation on additional charges. Day rejected the offer and elected to proceed with trial.
The trial is scheduled to continue June 16.
