Malik Joseph, 29, accepted a guilty plea on Aug. 1 for his role in a non-fatal shooting that occurred in downtown Baltimore before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Troy K. Hill.
On Oct. 26, 2024, at approximately 1:10 p.m., Joseph was seen on surveillance footage driving a red Nissan sedan towards the 200 block of N. Eutaw Street. Joseph then opened fire on the victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the right hand.
A witness identified Joseph as the shooter and the individual driving the red Nissan sedan.
Joseph was initially charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use, and other related firearm charges. Joseph pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and firearm use in a violent crime.
Defense attorney John Cox stated Joseph’s actions were in self-defense. The victim was arrested at an area hospital because of a warrant unrelated to this incident. Cox claimed the victim said during a jail call that he purposefully went after Joseph with a gun.
Judge Hill sentenced Joseph to five years without the possibility of parole. His sentence will be followed by two years of supervised probation upon his release. Joseph is also required to stay away from the victim and register with Baltimore City as a gun offender.
