Defendant given supervised probation for bus stop shooting

By Andrew Michaels
– May 15, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-lethal shot | Shooting | Suspects |

A 37-year-old Baltimore man was placed on probation before his May 15 sentencing for firing a gun at the ground to prevent what the defense attorney said might have been an assault or flight.

Donte Brown and his defense attorney, Sarah West, appeared Wednesday before Judge Althea M. Handy in Baltimore City Circuit Court to accept the prosecution’s plea offer of three years, suspended for all but one year, and three years of supervised probation for carrying a handgun. himself. At sentencing, Judge Handy told Brown that she was going to give him “a huge break,” specifically probation before sentencing, given that this was his first offense. the accused.

Brown was subsequently sentenced to three years of supervised probation and must register as an armed offender. The defendant was also ordered to pay $165 in court costs within six months.

The defendant told Judge Handy he accepted responsibility for his actions, which led to his house arrest for the past seven months.

According to the prosecution, Brown was sitting on a bus stop bench in the 2700 block of West North Avenue on Oct. 22, 2023, when three people were walking toward him. He then pulled out a handgun and fired one shot toward the sidewalk.

“He was basically letting them know he had it,” West added, saying Brown feared being assaulted or robbed.

Baltimore police responded to the scene after receiving a ShotSpotter alert, the prosecutor continued. Brown initially told police he didn’t hear anything, but confessed after officers saw a gun in his pocket. A shell casing was also found at the scene.

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