In the Brewers Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, the life of a 28-year-old White/Caucasian woman, Amy Victoria 'Pooks' Armstrong, was tragically cut short on October 28, 2024. The incident unfolded within the confines of her luxury apartment at The Porter Brewers Hill, a place that became the scene of a fatal domestic dispute. Early that morning, around 3:44 a.m., police responded to a call about a shooting and discovered Armstrong in her kitchen, having succumbed to a gunshot wound.
The investigation swiftly focused on her 27-year-old boyfriend, Gabriel Gomez-Fiorenza. According to police reports, the tragic event was preceded by a verbal argument between the couple around 11 a.m. the previous day. Following the argument, Gomez-Fiorenza retrieved an AR-15 rifle from their bedroom. He later told investigators that his intention was to take his own life. He claimed that Armstrong intervened, attempting to wrestle the firearm away from him. During the struggle, with his finger on the trigger, the weapon discharged, striking Armstrong in the head and facial region.
After the shooting, Gomez-Fiorenza did not call for help but instead fled the apartment with the rifle. His flight ended in Owings Mills at his family's home, where he was found in a backyard threatening to kill himself. A standoff with Baltimore County police ensued, which concluded with his apprehension. It was during questioning that he informed the authorities that he had shot Armstrong, leading police to discover her body.
Gabriel Gomez-Fiorenza was subsequently charged with first and second-degree murder, as well as aggravated assault. On October 20, 2025, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in a crime of violence. The following day, a judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison, suspending all but 15 years. His sentence also includes three years of supervised probation upon release, a requirement to complete domestic violence counseling, and an order to have no contact with Armstrong's family.
