BALTIMORE, MD—A man with a history of handgun convictions was found guilty of first-degree murder Monday in the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man last year, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced.
A jury convicted Amir Barnes-Henderson of first-degree murder and other related charges in the death of Gary Lee Matthews. Barnes-Henderson, who prosecutors identified as a “repeat violent offender,” faces a potential sentence of life plus 25 years when he is sentenced on Sept. 25, 2025.
“This brutal act of violence, committed by a repeat offender who displayed a shocking disregard for human life, is completely senseless,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates in a statement. “Today, justice has triumphed, a testament to the relentless dedication and hard work of our prosecutors who meticulously built this case, alongside our law enforcement partners who tirelessly investigated the event.”
According to the State’s Attorney’s Office, the shooting occurred on Nov. 21, 2024, at approximately 5:22 p.m. when a Northeast District patrol officer responded to reports of gunfire in the 4900-block of Frankford Avenue. Matthews was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead shortly after.
The investigation revealed that the shooting followed a verbal altercation between Matthews and Barnes-Henderson at a nearby liquor store. Barnes-Henderson has previous handgun convictions, which prohibit him from possessing a firearm. Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Stock prosecuted the case.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
