Repeat Offender Found Guilty in Fatal West Baltimore Shooting

Baltimore, Md. (August 5, 2025) – Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that defendant Anton Harris was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder and Possession of an Illegal Firearm in connection with the 2022 murder of Keith Johnson, age 34. He was sentenced to 40 years with the first five years ineligible for parole. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Gallo, who re-tried the case after it was appealed due to the Supreme Court of Maryland’s decision in Abruquah v. State. 

“This verdict conveys a strong message: repeat violent offenders will face accountability for their actions, and we are unwavering in our pursuit of justice for every victim affected by these crimes,” stated State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “This outcome is a direct result of the dedicated collaboration among our prosecutors, the Baltimore Police Department, the MTA Police, and forensic experts. Their thorough investigation and tireless efforts have culminated in a conviction that not only reflects our commitment to public safety but also underscores our determination to create a safer environment for all residents in our communities.”

On May 4, 2022, at approximately 3:08 p.m., Western District patrol officers with the Baltimore Police responded to reports of a shooting at the 500 block of N. Pulaski Street. Upon arrival, officers observed the victim, later identified as Keith Johnson, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Shock Trauma, where he was pronounced deceased at 3:37 p.m. Three bullet fragments, blood, one hat, and one cartridge casing were recovered at the crime scene. 

A 911 caller flagged down an MTA police officer who was patrolling nearby at the West Baltimore MARC Train Station. The MTA officer followed the suspect, who was wearing a black hoodie with light colored writing down the back, and requested backup. When the suspect turned onto a nearby street on foot, the officer exited his patrol vehicle and followed. The officer observed the suspect outside of a Nissan Xterra fumbling with an unknown object in his waistband area. The suspect ran into the wooded area nearby, but was shortly thereafter apprehended by BPD and MTA officers in the same wooded area between the 2300 block of Lauretta Avenue and the 2300 block of Franklin Street. The sweatshirt he was observed wearing while walking away from the crime scene was turned inside out and recovered nearby. 

Officers canvassed the area for a weapon and located a Polymer80 firearm sitting on the running board of the Nissan Xterra with an extended magazine dropped out onto the ground. This area was the same location where the MTA officer had observed the suspect fumbling with what was then an unknown object in his waistband area. When officers cleared the firearm, a single cartridge case was ejected.

DNA analysis was conducted, and it was found that the victim’s DNA was on the firearm. The firearm was compared to the cartridge case recovered from the crime scene at the 500 block of N. Pulaski Street, and firearms examiners opined that the cartridge case was consistent with having been fired from the recovered firearm. Anton Harris is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to two previous charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute.