Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder Charges

Ronald Mitchell accepts plea deal on eve of trial for 2025 shooting incident.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After initially rejecting a 10-year plea deal, 53-year-old Ronald Mitchell informed his attorney that he wished to enter a guilty plea rather than proceed with a jury trial for his alleged role in a June 2025 non-fatal shooting incident in Baltimore. Mitchell was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and other gun violations.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions for violent crimes, even with video evidence, as defendants may still opt to accept plea deals rather than risk harsher sentences from a jury trial. The incident also reflects ongoing gun violence concerns in certain Baltimore neighborhoods.

The details

According to court records, officers initially responded to a 911 call on the 1700 block of Darley Avenue, where they found a 25-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his left ankle. The victim said he had been riding his bike on the 1500 block of Cliftview Avenue when he heard gunshots and realized he had been wounded. Police later recovered surveillance footage that captured an individual approaching the corner of Cliftview Avenue and Harford Road, pulling out a handgun, and shooting in the direction of the victim while running towards him.

  • The incident occurred on June 6, 2025.
  • The defendant's trial was set to begin on February 4, 2026.
  • On February 3, 2026, the defendant rejected a 10-year plea deal.
  • On February 4, 2026, the defendant accepted a 25-year plea deal, with all but 5 years suspended.

The players

Ronald Mitchell

A 53-year-old Baltimore resident charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and other gun violations for his alleged role in a 2025 non-fatal shooting incident.

Lawrence Rosenberg

The defense attorney representing Ronald Mitchell.

Judge Yolanda A. Tanner

The Baltimore City Circuit Court judge presiding over the case.

25-year-old victim

The victim who was shot in the left ankle while riding his bike on the 1500 block of Cliftview Avenue.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must hold violent offenders accountable, but also recognize the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions, even with strong evidence.”

— Lawrence Rosenberg, Defense Attorney (Baltimore Witness)

What’s next

The defendant will be required to serve 5 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised probation. He must also maintain no contact with the victim and register with the Maryland Gun Offender Registry upon release.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing struggle to address gun violence in Baltimore, where even clear evidence of a crime may not always lead to a lengthy prison sentence if the defendant accepts a plea deal. It underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach to public safety that addresses the root causes of violence in addition to prosecuting individual cases.