The case against Deshaen Carroll, 52, was postponed Feb. 26 in Baltimore City Circuit Court after the defendant rejected a plea offer and requested a different attorney.
Carroll faces multiple charges, including attempted first- and second-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and several firearm offenses that stem from a July 13, 2025 shooting in Northeast Baltimore.
According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded around 10 p.m. to several ShotSpotter alerts near the 2000 block of Kennedy Avenue, where they located one victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his right shin. A second victim was found nearby on the 2000 block of Robb Street, with gunshot wounds to his forearm, shoulder and groin.
Investigators identified a silver 2006 Mercedes R500 as the suspect vehicle and obtained surveillance footage that allegedly showed Carroll arguing with one of the victims before drawing a handgun and firing multiple shots. Additional video reportedly showed the shooter firing toward a fleeing crowd before leaving the area. Baltimore CitiWatch cameras allegedly captured the Mercedes departing shortly after the gunfire.
At Thursday’s hearing before Judge Melissa K. Copeland, Carroll rejected the state’s plea offer and told the court he no longer wished to be represented by his attorney, Augustine Okeke, who has served as his counsel since last September. Baltimore Witness was unable to confirm the terms of the plea.
Though Okeke told the court he had reviewed all evidence provided by the state and shown Carroll the surveillance footage, the defendant argued the material had not been thoroughly explained to him and claimed Okeke failed to interview the victims at his request. Judge Copeland responded saying Okeke was not required to interview the victims.
Carroll also requested that his attorney file a motion to dismiss the case and said he wanted the matter investigated “further.” When asked by the court to specify what additional investigation was needed, Carroll did not provide clear details. Okeke added that Carroll had raised concerns about “deepfake AI” during prior discussions.
During the exchange, Carroll appeared frustrated, stating at one point, “He don’t even wanna hear this,” as his attorney looked away. He reiterated is refusal of the plea offer and repeatedly attempted to redirect the court’s attention to his petition to remove Okeke from his case.
Judge Copeland stated she had not heard sufficient justification at that time to remove Okeke from Carroll’s case. A new date for the case has not yet been set.
Carroll’s case is now scheduled to be heard again March 12, 2026.
