David Clemons, 44, was sentenced on April 17 to 20 years for his involvement in a Morrell Park shooting that stemmed from a fistfight last summer.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria rendered the term after Clemons was found guilty in January of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and numerous firearm charges before a jury.
Clemons was charged in connection to a June 15, 2025 shooting on the 2500 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 2:54 p.m., police responded to a report of gunfire and observed Clemons holding a firearm and walking with a distinct limp. Officers then observed him firing the gun at a dark-colored minivan.
Recovered video footage revealed that prior to the shooting, Clemons became involved in a physical altercation with a victim. The victim was seen punching Clemons to the ground before the two separated. Clemons then retrieved his gun and fired it at the minivan. Clemons is not allowed to have a firearm due to prior convictions.
On Friday, the prosecution asked Judge Vittoria to sentence Clemons to 67 years in prison due to his extensive criminal past.
The prosecution described Clemons as being “an absolute menace to the community” and having “complete disregard for the safety of others,” adding that his criminal history, which dates back to 1988, includes 15 convictions, 39 arrests and 52 prison infractions. The state alleged the longest sentence Clemons served for these prior crimes was 8 years.
“It is shocking that he hasn’t killed anyone,” the prosecution stated, commenting that Clemons was firing in broad daylight, on a public sidewalk with significant foot traffic.
Defense attorney James Sweeting III requested that only the court only consider the facts of the present case in determining Clemons’ sentence, not prior convictions.
“This was a contested matter,” he remarked. “These charges have to do with a firearm, not other conduct.”
According to Sweeting, Clemons experienced a turbulent childhood with a heroin-addicted mother that led him down a bad path.
Judge Vittoria ultimately sentenced Clemons to eight years for his firearm violations and 12 for his first-degree assault charge. The first five years of his sentence will be served without parole, and he will be required to complete five years of supervised probation upon his release.
