Judge Modifies Sentence for Golf Course Shooting Defendant

By Eleni Christou [former] - November 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Nov. 13, George Thomas was sentenced after a recent guilty plea on two weapons-related charges. The defendant appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Stephen J. Sfekas alongside his attorney, Donald Wright, in relation to a 2022 Carroll Park Golf Course shooting incident. 

Thomas, 32, was charged with carrying a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, an assault weapon roster violation, possessing a detachable magazine over 10 rounds,  two counts of discharging a firearm and possessing a handgun within 100 yards of a park. 

As previously reported by Baltimore Witness, Thomas accepted a plea offered by the prosecution on Oct. 25. The agreement was based on two counts: carrying a loaded handgun on his person and having a handgun on his person. In exchange for a guilty plea, Thomas received a prison sentence of three years, suspending all but 15 months, with an additional three years of probation. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to the Carroll Park Golf Course on Nov. 25, 2022, after hearing shots fired. When they responded, they located Thomas running away with several weapons in his possession and arrested him.

According to Wright, Thomas was at the park practicing target shooting with his daughter, with the intention of teaching her how to safely fire a weapon.

On Nov. 13, Wright advocated for a lesser sentence by stating his client would be compliant on release and that his family including four children would struggle if he were jailed or 15 months. He explained that Thomas had no previous violent weapon charges and that he no longer owned any guns.

In response, Judge Sfekas adjusted Thomas’ sentence to three years, suspending all but 10 months, with the same probationary period and conditions. Wright has already served 111 days in prison, so he has six months remaining. Judge Sfekas then ruled that  the remaining sentence would be served under house arrest. 

Sfekas explained that, “The only reason we’re doing this is so you can maintain work and a relationship with your children.”