Greenmount Avenue attempted murder defendant claims self-defense

By Racquel Bazos
– 19 August 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A 38-year-old defendant in an attempted murder case pleaded self-defense in the courtroom of Baltimore District Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones on August 16 for a shooting in which no one was injured.

William Harris is charged with attempted premeditated and gross murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm during a serious crime of violence, reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, carrying a handgun, carrying a loaded handgun, illegal possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm in connection with a shooting that occurred on December 17, 2023.

According to the indictment, a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer was monitoring the security camera at the corner of 32nd Street and Greenmount Avenue, where Harris and his friends were drinking and hanging out. Harris repeatedly argued with the victim, who was across the street. Eventually, Harris allegedly pulled a gun from his jacket and shot the man. The prosecutor stressed that “no one hit Harris” or threatened him, but he still fired five shots at the unidentified victim, who was not injured.

The BPD recovered the firearm allegedly used in the shooting from a front yard along Harris's escape route from the crime scene. A firearms expert will testify to the ballistics evidence linking the weapon to the crime.

Defense attorney Jason Rodriguez denied the attempted murder charge against his client. He asked the jury why there were bullets left in the gun found in the yard if Harris really intended to kill the victim. He argued that Harris was “only acting in self-defense” and that without those actions he could have been shot or killed himself.

Testimony began on Friday afternoon.

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