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By
Aubrey Mbimba
- September 26, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Shooting
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After a brief deliberation on Sept. 24, jurors acquitted Kimani Johnson, 35, of all charges in connection to the death of Aaron Frantom, 37, during a drug-related shooting incident that occurred more than two years ago in Southwest Baltimore.
Johnson was found not guilty of 11 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, firearm use in a violent crime and related firearm and conspiracy violations.
A witness testified that he and Frantom drove to Baltimore from Annapolis to meet an acquaintance that night. While parked near West Baltimore Street and Fulton Avenue, two men approached the car, attempting to sell them drugs.
As the witness reached into his bag to write down his phone number, one of the men put the gun to his head and demanded money, ordering him to “run his pockets.” While the witness escaped, Frantom was mortally wounded.
The witness later admitted in court he drove to Baltimore to obtain Suboxone, a prescription anti-addiction drug with narcotic properties, from his acquaintance. Defense attorney Roland Harris noted the witness initially told detectives he was only in the area to see the acquaintance.
Frantom’s fiancée described her duties taking care of him in the aftermath, noting the shooting left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe or eat without medical assistance. He succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 3, 2024.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones presided during the trial.