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By
Sage Cho
- July 16, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Sharnise Nicole Williams, 37, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and accepted one year of probation before judgment on July 16. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul J. Cucuzzella presided over the hearing. The plea allows the judge put the defendant on probation without entering a conviction.
Williams was arrested May 6, 2024, after an accidental discharge incident that occurred the day prior at New Berger’s Tavern in the 5500 block of Belair Road. Though Williams initially faced charges of attempted murder and was ordered to be held without bail, parties agreed at some point in prior proceedings to drop all her charges save reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm. In exchange for Williams’ guilty plea for the endangerment charge, the prosecution agreed to drop the firearm charge.
Williams’ ex-fiancée, who was 38 at the time, was injured after the discharged bullet hit the ground, shattering concrete and causing a fragment to strike her wrist. Williams was reportedly celebrating her father’s birthday with family at the bar when her ex-fiancée showed up and started an argument. Williams, who worked in armed security since 2017, was legally carrying a firearm at the time.
When the altercation escalated, Williams’ brothers attempted to step in and diffuse the situation. During the physical struggle that ensued, Williams’ gun accidentally discharged. All events were captured by area surveillance cameras.
Defense attorney Staci Pipkin noted during the hearing that Williams “lost everything” as a result of her indictment and hopes to return to her job as a commercial truck driver following the resolution of her case. Should Williams violate the terms of her probation, which include no unlawful contact with her ex-fiancée, she may face the full five-year penalty for the charge of reckless endangerment.
No further hearings are scheduled in this case.