Trial Set for Attempted Murder and Drug Possession Charges

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland scheduled a three-day jury trial for Kwame Brown, who stands accused of attempted murder and drug charges in connection to two separate incidents from 2024, after he rejected a plea offer on March 3.

Brown, 36, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, reckless endangerment, and related firearm charges.

According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert to the sounds of five gunshots in the 1800 block of N. Mount Street. Upon arrival, they found an individual suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his left buttock.

Video surveillance footage captured the victim walking to a store at the incident address while being followed by two Black males, one in black pants and a gray hoodie with a white logo, the other in a dark jacket and pants.

According to charging documents, the victim told BPD he walked to the store to purchase something, but became entangled in a verbal dispute with several men who were loitering instead of making a purchase.

Later, the victim identified the Black male in the gray hoodie as the shooter. Video surveillance footage from the store captured the shooter in the area one minute before police were alerted to the shots.

BPD created a flyer using the footage and information that the alleged shooter in the video is named “Kwame” and used the nickname “Philly.” They arrested Brown on Oct. 13, 2024.

During a police interview, officers showed Brown surveillance footage of the suspect and asked if Brown could identify him. Brown reportedly responded, “That’s me” and told officers he tried to diffuse the situation after hearing the victim was armed with a gun.

Officers then asked Brown about the gun’s current whereabouts.

“I don’t know where the gun at bro,” Brown was said responded. “I threw it. Some real sh*t, I’m gonna be real with you.”

The prosecution offered Brown a sentence of life, suspending all but 40 years, with five years supervised probation for the charge of attempted first-degree murder. They also offered a concurrent 20 years, the first five without possibility of parole, for firearm use in a felony or violent crime.

Brown also faces charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and three counts of possessing controlled dangerous substances with the intent to distribute narcotics.

According to charging documents, officers were reviewing video surveillance footage of a frequent drug trafficking spot near the 1700 block of Calhoun Street when they recognized Brown, who had a bulky, heavy object in his pocket, as a possible suspect for a Sept. 17 shooting.

The footage also captured another man sitting next to Brown with money in his hands. They are seen exchanging money for the narcotics, which officers suspected were heroin. Upon his arrest, officers allegedly recovered crack cocaine from Brown.

Another man who was seen constantly adjusting his waistband during the interaction. The officer observing the footage suspected he had an unholstered firearm in his waistband.

Brown rejected a plea offer of 10 years, suspending all but time served, with three years supervised probation for intent to distribute narcotics.

Brown, who is represented by defense attorney Roya Hanna, will return to court on May 28 for a jury trial regarding both incidents.