A Baltimore man has been convicted of murder after prosecutors said he shot and killed another man who came to help a woman during a dispute involving the father of one of her children.
The Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that 27-year-old Timothy Shearn was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of 26-year-old Deonaye Johnson.
A jury also convicted Shearn of two counts of using a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, first-degree assault, and wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun.
Dispute Began With Threats, Prosecutors Say
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on Sept. 9, 2025, when a woman flagged down Baltimore police officers and reported that Shearn, the father of one of her children, had threatened her with a firearm.
The woman directed officers to the 1000 block of North Arlington Avenue, where she said the confrontation had taken place.
When police arrived, however, no one involved was at the scene.
She then led officers to another location where she believed Shearn had gone, but officers were again unable to find him. Authorities later lost contact with the woman and called her to determine her location.
Officers Heard Gunshots During Phone Call
While speaking with the woman on the phone, officers reportedly heard her shouting, telling someone to “put the gun away.”
Moments later, they heard gunshots.
Using gunshot detection technology, officers determined the shots had been fired back on North Arlington Avenue and immediately returned to the area.
There, they found Deonaye Johnson lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Victim Came to Help the Woman
According to investigators, the woman told police that after Shearn allegedly threatened her, she contacted Johnson, who was also the father of one of her children, asking him to come help defuse the situation.
Prosecutors said that after Johnson arrived, the woman again saw Shearn armed with a handgun.
Authorities allege Shearn opened fire, striking Johnson three times.
Emergency responders transported Johnson to a nearby hospital, but he later died from his injuries.
The woman also told investigators she believed Shearn fled into one of the nearby homes after the shooting.
Evidence Recovered During Investigation
Police searched the area for several hours but were unable to locate Shearn that day.
During the investigation, detectives recovered an empty Smith & Wesson handgun box from one of the nearby homes.
Crime scene investigators also found six 9 mm shell casings near where Johnson had been shot.
According to prosecutors, forensic testing determined all of the shell casings had been fired from the same firearm.
Arrest Made Weeks Later
About one month after the shooting, officers arrested Shearn on the 1800 block of West Franklin Street in Baltimore, approximately one mile from the scene of the homicide.
He was later charged and brought to trial.
Prosecutor Says Conviction Brings Justice
Following the guilty verdict, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates said the case sends a message that people who choose to resolve personal disputes with gun violence will be held accountable.
Bates said Shearn deliberately took Johnson’s life, leaving his family to suffer an irreversible loss. He added that while the conviction cannot bring Johnson back, it ensures the person responsible will face the consequences of his actions.
Sentencing Scheduled for October
Following his conviction on all charges, Shearn faces a potential sentence of life in prison plus an additional 65 years.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
