Shooting Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Ronald A. Silkworth sentenced Darryl Toomer to 15 years in prison and five years of probation for a brutal shooting in a hearing on April 2.

Toomer previously pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and firearm use in a violent crime on Nov. 13, 2024. He initially faced additional charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder and reckless endangerment, as well as related other firearm charges.

According to court documents, on Sept. 29, 2023, officers responded to a shooting in the 1100 block of Bon Street and located a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to her torso. After found by her two young children, she was taken to the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries.

Several .40-caliber bullet casings were recovered from the scene. On Oct 2, 2023, and Toomer was ultimately identified as the shooter.

According to a previous Baltimore Witness report, the victim explained the incident dramatically altered her life, describing shame regarding her scars, constant pain, hearing loss, and an inability to stand normally.

Toomer took the opportunity to address the court and presented an account of the tragedies that affected his life and the responsibilities he currently bears as a grandfather to five.

“You weren’t there,” he loudly told the prosecution regarding the incident. Toomer explained that he never received treatment for substance and alcohol abuse disorders and that he lost multiple close members of his family to murder. His grandkids rely on him to “do better,” he told the court.

The prosecution opined that Toomer failed to take full responsibility,requesting a total of 40 years.

Defense attorney Jason Rodriguez argued Toomer didn’t recognize the victim at the time of the incident because he was drunk and high. He requested a minimum sentence, arguing that accepting a plea deal indicated Toomer’s willingness to accept full responsibility for his actions.

Judge Silkworth said he saw value in Toomer, who was one among thousands of drug addicts he sentenced throughout his career and wished he could only do more.