Judge Denies Bail for Man Accused of Shooting at Group of Women

Norman Ransom held without bail until trial over October 2025 incident in Baltimore.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:55pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence from a shooting incident.A stark image of physical evidence from a shooting incident underscores the grim realities of gun violence in Baltimore.Baltimore Today

A 44-year-old Baltimore man named Norman Ransom has been charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and multiple gun violations after allegedly firing a weapon at a group of women outside his home in October 2025. Despite the defense's arguments, a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge ruled that Ransom will be held without bail until his trial, citing his lengthy criminal history and the 'overwhelming evidence of the defendant's guilt' presented by prosecutors.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and public safety in Baltimore, where the city has struggled with high rates of violent crime in recent years. The judge's decision to deny bail for Ransom also raises questions about the city's approach to repeat offenders and the role of criminal history in bail determinations.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert on October 26, 2025 on the 2600 block of Garrett Avenue and encountered a group of women who accused Ransom of shooting at them. Ransom was later charged, but his defense attorney argued the facts of the case were 'very shaky' and that Ransom claimed the women were attempting to burglarize his home. The defense also noted that the woman who said Ransom shot her had no visible gunshot wounds, and that Ransom was never found in possession of a gun. However, prosecutors said they recovered a firearm with DNA evidence linked to Ransom, who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior convictions.

  • The shooting incident occurred on October 26, 2025.
  • Ransom was denied bail by the judge on April 3, 2026.

The players

Norman Ransom

A 44-year-old Baltimore resident who has been charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and multiple gun violations after allegedly firing a weapon at a group of women outside his home in October 2025. Ransom has a lengthy criminal history that includes five prior convictions for possession of controlled substances.

Judge Kendra Y. Ausby

The Baltimore City Circuit Court judge who ruled that Ransom will be held without bail until his trial, citing the 'overwhelming evidence of the defendant's guilt' presented by prosecutors.

Jerry Prince

The defense attorney representing Ransom, who argued for home detention or bail, claiming the facts of the case were 'very shaky' and that Ransom was never found in possession of a gun.

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What they’re saying

“I don't really understand how the police identified this woman as a witness.”

— Jerry Prince, Defense Attorney

“The charges were pretty serious.”

— Judge Kendra Y. Ausby

What’s next

The court has yet to set a date for Ransom's trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and public safety in Baltimore, where the city has struggled with high rates of violent crime in recent years. The judge's decision to deny bail for Ransom also raises questions about the city's approach to repeat offenders and the role of criminal history in bail determinations.