Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland jury has convicted a 24-year-old man in the brutal shooting death of a young father who was murdered just steps away from his daughter’s front door. The victim, 27-year-old Desmond Gardner, had been visiting his little girl during his lunch break when he was ambushed and fatally shot.
Incident Overview
According to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, the killing occurred on January 26, 2023, as Gardner walked toward an apartment on Spelman Road in Baltimore to spend a few moments with his daughter. Gardner, an employee of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, often used his lunch breaks to visit her.
Prosecutors said Gardner was only a few steps away from the building entrance when he was suddenly surrounded by three masked suspects. Moments later, he was shot in the back in what investigators described as a “targeted ambush.”
Convictions and Charges
The primary defendant in the latest trial, Anthony Curry, 24, was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and a firearms charge. The verdict was delivered Tuesday after a five-day trial, with jurors deliberating for roughly three hours before reaching a decision.
Another suspect, 20-year-old Parris Harris, had already been convicted in July 2024 and received a sentence of life in prison plus 15 years earlier this year.
Key Facts
- Victim: Desmond Gardner, 27
- Suspect: Anthony Curry, 24
- Co-defendant: Parris Harris, 20
- Date of Murder: January 26, 2023
- Location: Spelman Rd., Baltimore, Maryland
- Charges: First-degree murder, conspiracy, firearms offense
Timeline of Events
Investigators learned that during the ambush, one of the suspects was accidentally shot in the leg by another masked attacker. Detectives searched local hospitals for anyone seeking treatment for a gunshot wound but initially found no matching patient.
Six days later, Baltimore police were inspecting a suspicious vehicle they believed was stolen. Inside was Parris Harris, who immediately locked the glove compartment and tried to run. Officers apprehended him, and inside the compartment, police found a handgun. Ballistic testing confirmed it was the same weapon used at the Gardner murder scene.
Evidence Presented in the Case
Authorities built their case through a combination of surveillance footage, ballistics, social media activity, and cellphone data.
Social Media Evidence
Investigators found multiple Instagram videos showing Harris brandishing the same gun used in the killing.
They also uncovered an Instagram photo of Curry wearing distinctive pants, which matched those seen in surveillance footage capturing the ambush on Gardner.
Cellphone Tracking
Prosecutors testified that cellphone data placed Harris at George Washington Hospital Trauma Center in Washington, D.C., on the same day as the murder. There, Curry was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds to the leg—corresponding with the accidental shooting among the three masked suspects.
Details From Police and Officials
In a statement, officials said the case reflected relentless investigative efforts and multi-agency coordination.
“The evidence uncovered by our team, from digital data to ballistics, formed a powerful and clear picture of what happened that day,” the Maryland Attorney General’s Office stated.
The collaboration between Baltimore police, the FBI, and state prosecutors was described as instrumental in securing convictions against both Curry and Harris.
Community Impact and Safety Context
The murder of a young father simply trying to visit his daughter during a lunch break deeply shook the surrounding community. Gardner’s death drew attention to the ongoing violence affecting Baltimore neighborhoods and the risks facing everyday residents going about their daily routines.
Experts say coordinated efforts from local residents, law enforcement, and community groups remain essential to preventing retaliatory violence and targeting gun trafficking—both of which continue to play a major role in local crime patterns.
Upcoming Sentencing
Curry is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, 2026, where he faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
Conclusion
The conviction brings a measure of closure to Gardner’s family, who have waited more than two years for justice. As both convicted suspects await long-term sentences, the case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against gun violence in Baltimore.
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