Judge Sentences Defendant to Two Years for Firing Gun in Celebration of New Year’s

By Andrew Michaels - August 25, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Firing guns in Baltimore City to celebrate New Year’s Day is “a city tradition that should go away,” defense attorney Janet Andersen said on Aug. 23 during her client’s sentencing for what was described as a non-fatal, celebratory shooting in January.

The case against 33-year-old Darrin Brown concluded with a plea agreement between the defendant and the prosecution Wednesday morning before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles H. Dorsey III. Brown pleaded guilty to firearm possession with a felony conviction, firing a gun in Baltimore City and illegal possession of ammunition.

In addition to these charges, Brown initially faced another count of firearm possession with a felony conviction and illegal possession of a firearm.

“He apologies for his stupid mistake,” Andersen said before the court, recommending a sentence of seven years, suspending all but two years, and two years of supervised probation for the charges.

Earlier in the proceeding, the prosecution suggested Judge Dorsey sentence Brown to five years without parole for firearm possession with a felony conviction as well as a concurrent one year each for discharging a firearm in the city and illegal possession of ammo.

The prosecutor explained that the incident occurred minutes after midnight on Jan. 1 when Brown fired multiple gunshots outside from the window of his home, shouting, “Happy New Year,” at the intersection of S. Bentalou and Ashton streets. Baltimore Police Department officers were called to the scene and found seven shell casings. After spotting Brown, police standing outside Brown’s front door saw a handgun sitting on a pile of jeans.

Brown later admitted to the crime, the prosecutor said. No one was injured.

“Once you have kids, your decision-making affects them,” Judge Dorsey said to the defendant before imposing his sentence. “You keep making bad decisions after bad decisions after bad decisions.”

The judge referred to Brown’s criminal history, which included convictions of second-degree assault, theft under $1,000 and unauthorized removal of a vehicle that have occurred over the last decade.

“I don’t think it’s a celebratory thing either,” the judge continued. “…I hate guns.”

Judge Dorsey sentenced Brown to 10 years, suspending all but two years, and three years of supervised probation for firearm possession with a felony conviction as well as a current one year each for discharging a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.