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By
Ethan Russo
- August 11, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting defendant Michael Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison with all but 70 years suspended on Aug. 8.
Armstrong, 31, was found guilty in May of attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, and several handgun charges in connection with the shooting of a 42-year-old woman in her vehicle on Feb. 19, 2024.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey heard counsel’s requests for the sentence terms.
The prosecution reminded the court that Armstrong was already deemed guilty of attempted murder and firearm possession. Surveillance footage showed his arrival at the incident location before unloading a full gun magazine into the victim’s vehicle.
Asserting that Armstrong is an incredible risk to public safety, the prosecution requested that he be sentenced to life in prison with an additional 57 years in confinement, the first 25 without parole.
Defense attorney Augustine Okeke asked the court to impose a more lenient sentence. Noting that Armstrong was previously incarcerated at the age of 17 for a separate crime, Okeke emphasized Armstrong’s difficulty readjusting to society and his struggles with mental health.
Okeke asked Judge Ringgold-Kirksey to allow Armstrong’s rehabilitation, not one that merely handed down punishment.
Following counsel’s statements, Armstrong’s parents addressed the court.
Armstrong’s mother delivered an emotional statement requesting a merciful sentence, claiming that her son is not a heartless person, but comes from a broken household that resulted om mental illness starting at a young age.
In his statement, Armstrong’s father loudly proclaimed that he did the best he could in raising his children, and that his “son behaved the way he did because that’s who he is.” The father condemned social pressures for corrupting his son.
Armstrong himself expressed remorse, but emphatically maintained his innocence of the charges.
Judge Ringgold-Kirksey reminded him that the jury had already found him guilty, and only the terms of his sentence were in dispute.
In the end, Judge Ringgold-Kirksey sentenced Armstrong to life in prison, suspending all but 70 years, the first 15 without the possibility of parole, and five years’ probation following his release.
The court also granted the prosecution’s request for a stay-away order prohibiting Armstrong from contacting the victim. Armstrong’s confinement began on Aug. 8.