Homicides Plummet, Non-Fatal Shootings Creep Up From March to April

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Despite a near 60 percent decrease in the number of homicides and homicide victims in Baltimore City from March to April, Baltimore City Circuit Court still heard 40 homicide-related cases during the latter month. Only four reached resolution.

Compared to the 14 homicides in March, April saw six, a decrease of roughly 57 percent. The number of victims declined approximately 59 percent from 17 to seven.

In one case, on April 23, emotions ran high as Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer sentenced convicted murderer Lionel Matthews, 41, to life in prison plus 30 years. Matthews was found guilty by jury of shooting and killing Bryant Williams, 36, on Feb. 29, 2024 in Southwest Baltimore. He was sentenced on the counts of first-degree murder, firearm use in a violent crime, firearm possession with a prior felony conviction, and having a loaded handgun on his person.

Among homicides investigations reported in April, one occurred in the Southwest District on April 18. At approximately 11:11 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Allendale Street for a report of a shooting. The victim, 18-year-old Karmel McGill, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

By contrast, non-fatal shootings increased by approximately 22 percent, from 23 to 28, and victims by 20 percent– from 28 to 35. Of the 40 non-fatal shooting cases heard in circuit court during April, nine were closed.

One shooting defendant, 28-year-old Terrell Parker, received the same sentence as convicted murderer Matthews — life plus 30 years. Parker was initially charged in connection to a Darley Park shooting that shattered a man’s eyeball and left him traumatized with permanent damage to his face and mouth. The hearing concluded April 18.

Meanwhile, all charges were dropped against alleged shooter Jermaine Jones, 49, on April 21 after the prosecution failed to locate a critical witness.

Non-fatal shootings the month of April saw heavy concentration around the Franklin Square and Edmondson-Midtown neighborhoods in the Southwest District, two of which were carried out by pairs of suspects.

Javon D. Brown, 21, and Michael Yerby, 20, were arrested in the Southwest District following a foot pursuit on April 17. They were transported to the Central Booking & Intake Facility and charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting and wounding a 35-year-old man on April 15, in the 1800 block of W. Pratt Street.