A Baltimore woman accused of shooting a 22-year-old man at Brannan’s Pub on Harford Road will be held without bail following a decision by Judge Dana M. Middleton on July 7.
Marshae Smith, 42, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, discharging a firearm within Baltimore City and reckless endangerment in connection to the shooting, which occurred during the early morning hours of March 24. The victim was hospitalized and treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Officers quickly learned the shooting occurred at Brannan’s Pub on the 5500 block of Harford Road, where Smith had reportedly been working as a security guard when the incident unfolded.
During the hearing, defense attorney Staci Pipkin argued that several of Smith’s original charges were incorrectly filed and that her indictment was later reduced from eight counts to five. Pipkin told the court Smith is a licensed security officer in both Maryland and Virginia with no prior criminal history and is the sole caregiver for her two children. The shooting occurred after Smith intervened in an altercation involving a bartender and the victim, Pipkin said. She added that Smith was unaware at the time that the victim had been struck by gunfire.
Prosecution told Judge Dana M. Middleton that CCTV footage shows Smith following the victim outside and shooting him in the back as he attempts to walk away following an altercation between the two of them. According to the state, the bartender was involved in the argument with the victim, and then Smith intervened. The prosecutor added that Smith fired two additional rounds as the victim fled toward Hamilton Avenue. According to court documents, investigators later identified Smith as a suspect through surveillance footage from the pub and a prior traffic stop.
Judge Middleton ordered Smith be held without bail, finding that security and firearm licenses “did not deter the defendant from committing the crime.”
Police had initially charged Smith with eight counts, including attempted second-degree murder, multiple handgun violations, and discharging a firearm. Her charges ultimately were reduced due to a firearms offense.
Smith is now scheduled for a scheduling conference before Judge Melissa Copeland on Aug. 11.
