Trial Commences for Man Accused of Fatally Shooting Girlfriend in Face

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Trial opened July 10 for a fatal shooting that occurred inside a vehicle on I-83 last January, with counsel debating whether defendant Christopher Lee, 28, killed his girlfriend, Jazmyn Reed, 30, as well as possible motives.

For his alleged role in the Jan. 14, 2024 shooting, Lee faces charges of first-degree murder and firearm use in a violent crime. Charging documents state Lee dialed 911 to report his girlfriend was shot. Officers responding to the crime scene near the third northbound exit of I-83 and observed Lee inside a black Lexus ES350 two-door coupe.

Reed was found suffering a gunshot wound to the left side of her face. Medics transported her to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she was pronounced deceased at 1:40 a.m.

Lee advised the incident began when Reed reached for a gun Lee kept under a car seat in the Lexus. The couple allegedly struggled for possession of the gun, which accidentally discharged into Reed’s face.

“Christopher Lee stole not only the voice, but also the life of Jazmyn Reed,” the prosecution noted. “He says Ms. Reed reached for the gun. Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence will scream at you that that is not the case.”

The prosecution went on to claim Lee made no attempts to provide aid to Reed after she was shot.

Defense attorney Lawrence Greenberg contested the claim, noting Lee “begged” 911 operators to guide him through lifesaving measures for Reed.

“The way the state wants you to believe it, this was an execution,” Greenberg said. He claimed Lee demonstrated “actions consistent with self defense” and said both the prosecution and investigators approached the case with “tunnel vision.”

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy quickly overruled the prosecution’s objections to Greenberg’s claims of self-defense.

The trial continues.