Smoking dispute ends with woman shooting her neighbor in South Baltimore

A dispute between neighbors on the shared porch in front of an apartment building prompted one of them to shoot the other on Saturday, according to court records.

Police announced on Monday that Shakia Gilmore, 33, had been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened in the 2600 block of Washington Boulevard around 1:10 a.m. Investigators allege that Gilmore shot a 44-year-old woman twice after the two women had argued about Gilmore smoking in front of their apartment complex.

The charging documents for Gilmore describe how she and the woman had been involved in a verbal altercation over the smoking that had turned physical before the gunfire erupted.

The 44-year-old woman allegedly punched Gilmore in the face, and Gilmore reacted by pulling out a gun and shooting at the woman several times, according to the charging documents.

Afterward, the woman walked away form the porch and went to sit on a nearby curb. That’s when she called the police.

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Court records state that Gilmore approached the woman with the gun again. At that point, a third party got involved in their altercation. A person who witnessed the shooting put themselves in front of the gunshot victim to protect her from further harm.

Gilmore instructed the witness to get out of the way, but the witness refused to back down. Eventually, Gilmore returned to the front porch and sat there with the gun until the police arrived, per court records.

Shakia Gilmore Charging Documents.png

An ambulance took the gunshot victim to the University of Maryland Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries.

Forensics investigators found a ping nine-millimeter handgun, two spent cartridge casings, and additional firearm evidence at the site of the shooting, according to the charging documents.

Police said the gun was registered in Gilmore’s name.

A crime lab technician takes pictures of the site of a shooting that injured at least one person in the 2600 block of Washington Boulevard on Saturday. (WBFF / Maggie Ybarra)

Gilmore spoke to detectives following the shooting. Court records state that she told them the argument was about more than just smoking.

Gilmore said had been talking to someone who was related to the gunshot victim about an incident that happened a few days prior. That’s when the victim approached Gilmore and “got into her face,” according to the charging documents.

Shakia Gilmore Mugshot (Baltimore Police).png

Gilmore told detectives that she backed away from the victim and informed her that she did not feel safe. She said she only fired off a few rounds after the woman assaulted her.

Gilmore said she was unclear whether she had injured the victim at first. Court records state that Gilmore had a gun registered in her name and that she had obtained a handgun conceal and carry permit. That permit expired on April 30, though.

Investigators have charged Gilmore with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, using a firearm to commit a violent crime, and discharging a firearm in the city.