A suspected shooter in a household dispute rejected a plea deal in a reception court hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Aug. 26. The defendant, John Harrison, 53, will stand trial for the incident on Dec. 1.
According to the statement of charges, on May 4 a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer was flagged down by a victim on the 1600 block of Division Street who said, “He pulled a gun out and shot at me.” Based on past experience, the officer believed Harrison was the perpetrator.
Following the victim to his nearby residence, he apprised the officer that Harrison was inside. Harrison was ordered to surrender and arrested. When other officers arrived on the scene, they moved the residents outside and determined no one was injured. However, during a search of the premises, they allegedly recovered a gun under Harrison’s mattress.
Piecing together what happened, police say that “a visibly intoxicated Harrison” got into an argument with the victim as well as Harrison’s wife and three other residents. During the altercation Harrison allegedly threatened “to kill everybody in this house.” As the fight unfolded Harrison was said to retrieve a firearm, described as a “ghost gun” and continued to confront the
the victim who fled down a nearby street looking for safety.
Police recovered six 9mm shells at the crime scene that are said to match the type of weapon found in Harrison’s bedroom. Harrison was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated assault, second-degree assault, illegal possession of ammunition, loaded handgun on person, handgun use in a felony, handgun on person and dangerous weapon with intent to injure.
Harrison is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions for first-degree assault and other gun charges.
During the hearing, the prosecutor offered Harrison a plea deal of life in prison suspending all but 35 years, the first ten without parole. Represented by William Porter, Harrison rejected the offer.
Judge Copeland set the trial for Dec. 1 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor. The proceeding is expected to last four days.
