Leon Spencer pled guilty to fatally shooting John Parrish on the 3200 block of Lawnview Avenue
Baltimore, Md. (June 11, 2025) – Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that Leon Spencer, a repeat offender, was sentenced to Life, suspending all but 50 years, for First-Degree Murder and Illegal Possession of a Firearm in connection with the homicide of John Parrish. The defendant pleaded guilty on March 4, 2025. Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Greer prosecuted this case.
“We cannot ignore the clear pattern of violence among individuals with prior convictions who continue to access deadly weapons,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “Our office is committed to accountability and to working with lawmakers to strengthen policies that keep guns out of the hands of repeat offenders. Public safety demands a swift approach to stop the pattern of repeat offenders.”
On July 16, 2024, at 8:46 p.m., Baltimore Police Department responded to a call for a reported shooting at 3220 Lawnview Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, John Parrish, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Parrish was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries on July 18, 2024.
During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Spencer had gone into a nearby residence. When they located the defendant, he was carrying a .380 caliber magazine with several rounds in his right pants pocket. Inside the residence, officers also found a .380 cartridge casing at the top of the stairs, as well as apparent gunshot damage to a bedroom door.
The investigation revealed that on the night of July 16, 2024, the victim, suspect, and other parties were present on the front porch of 3220 Lawnview Avenue. The suspect had become upset with the victim’s sleepy demeanor, pulled out a handgun, and shot the victim.
The defendant had a previous criminal record of Armed Robbery in 1999 and Attempted Murder in 2002. Due to these prior convictions, Spencer was prohibited from carrying a firearm.