In a tragic turn of events on a late Tuesday night in March 2014, a violent home invasion in South Baltimore claimed the life of 21-year-old Johniece Sheppard. On March 25th, several men burst into a residence on 8th Street, brandishing firearms. The intrusion resulted in a triple shooting that left Sheppard fatally wounded and two other individuals injured.
The investigation into the brutal crime led Baltimore City Police to identify Laser Womack, 27 at the time, as a primary suspect.
Authorities alleged that Womack and two accomplices, one of whom was identified as Deshawn Richardson, entered the home and held the three victims at gunpoint while they searched for drugs. When the victims denied knowledge of any drugs, they were shot multiple times. A witness later identified Womack from a photographic display, leading to his arrest.
Womack was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. In February 2016, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. However, this conviction was later appealed and overturned on the grounds that the court had not properly advised the defendant of the nature of the charges against him.
Following the successful appeal, the case was set for a new legal course. In September 2023, Laser Womack, then 36, appeared in Baltimore City Circuit Court and accepted a plea offer. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended. He was also ordered to serve 18 months of supervised probation upon his release and to have no contact with the surviving victims or their families. His credit for time served began on March 28, 2014.
