A 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to shooting himself in the leg earlier this year accepting a sentence of six years behind bars before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Sylvester B Cox.
On June 30, 17-year-old Shahmeir Abdulhameed pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a regulated firearm and having a handgun on his person. He was initially charged with six offenses following an investigation into his self-inflicted gunshot wound. His charges included possession of a firearm by a minor, making a false statement to an officer, illegal possession of ammunition, and discharging a firearm.
According to court documents, Abdulhameed claimed he was shot by an unknown man while on the 2700 block of Beryl Avenue. Surveillance footage and forensic analysis later revealed that the wound’s trajectory pointed downward, consistent with a self-inflicted injury.
Abdulhameed admitted to detectives that he accidentally shot himself while handling his uncle’s revolver after giving detectives a false statement. He was tried as an adult.
Investigators confirmed through the Maryland Gun Center that Abdulhameed was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior misdemeanor conviction. A subsequent search warrant led officers to the area of his residence, where they recovered a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver belonging to his uncle.
Abdulhameed will serve two consecutive three-year sentences following his guilty plea, followed by three years of supervised probation. He will also be required to register as a gun offender upon release.
Judge Cox addressed the teen directly during sentencing, telling him, “You have a chance to change your life around.”
