Homicide called fatal sibling rivalry

Baltimore man held without bail in killing of half-brother

By BEN WEATHERS Staff Writer

Prosecutors say a Baltimore man shot and killed his half-brother last week during a fistfight outside Mo's Seafood.

Cornelius Keith Johnson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in a violent crime and having a handgun on his person. He is being held without bond at the Jennifer Road Detention Center.

He is accused of killing Andrew Michael Johnson, 25, of Glen Burnie.

At a bail review hearing yesterday morning at District Court in Annapolis, Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Earle characterized the incident as sibling rivalry that proved fatal.

"This is a case of close relatives that got into a fistfight," Earle said. "The defendant brought a gun into the fight."

After Johnson shot his half-brother, he fled to Baltimore in an attempt to conceal or destroy evidence, Earle said.

County police found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the lower torso in the parking lot of Mo's, 7146 Ritchie Highway, around 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 13.

According to charging documents, the victim arrived at the parking lot with another person, whom police have not identified. Witnesses said that when the two arrived, several people walked up to their vehicle.

A fistfight between the men ensued, ending with Johnson shooting his half-brother with a small silver semi-automatic handgun, said Kristin Fleckenstein, a spokeswoman for the State's Attorney's Office.

Police said Johnson was identified as the gunman by multiple witnesses, some of whom knew him; others picked out his photo.

While fleeing the scene, Johnson admitted to a witness that he had shot his brother several times, according to charging documents.

The elder Johnson was taken to Harbor Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The brothers shared the same address, 7838 Kess Circle in Glen Burnie, from 2005 to 2006, online court records show.

Earle successfully argued that Johnson should be held without bail out of concern for public safety, noting that stray bullets could have hit innocent bystanders. In addition, Earle argued that Johnson also posed a flight risk.

Johnson appeared via a video feed from the detention center. The 24-year-old was subdued while responding to District Court Judge Danielle M. Mosley, answering with "yes" and "no" answers.

Johnson was taken into custody by county police Monday afternoon. The 24-year-old had turned himself in to Baltimore police on Friday to serve a weekend jail sentence in another case.

Baltimore police arrested Johnson after checking his warrant status as he was about to leave, police said.

Friends and family held a candlelight vigil and fundraiser to help pay for the elder Johnson's funeral expenses last weekend.

Attempts by The Capital to reach the family have been unsuccessful.

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