Towson Man Pleads Guilty In First-Degree Murder Case

TOWSON - Kevin Sharp, 22, pled guilty this morning to first-degree murder for the killing of Barry Ransom.

On October 25, 2021, Baltimore County Police responded to reports of a shooting in a Trader Joe's parking lot at the Shops at Kenilworth shopping center. According to the police, they located Ransom suffering from gunshot wounds in a nearby wooded area.

Ransom was taken to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.

An investigation by Baltimore County Police used surveillance footage of the incident and information from the victim's phone to piece together what happened.

According to police, Ransom and several of his acquaintances had planned to meet Sharp around 10:00 p.m. that night. Sharp walked from a nearby apartment building to the Trader Joe's parking lot, where he encountered Ransom. Once they met, Sharp robbed Ransom, and Ransom attempted to flee. As Ransom ran, he was shot in the back.

In a subsequent search of Sharp's apartment, police say they found items belonging to Ransom and his acquaintances. Court documents say that Sharp had also tried to sell items belonging to Ransom on Instagram.

State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger expressed his condolences to the victim's family.

"I hope that the excellent investigative job of the Baltimore County Police and preparation of the case by the Assistant State's Attorney will send a clear message that outrageous acts such as these will be addressed with justice for Mr. Ransom and the citizens of this county."

Sharp is currently scheduled for sentencing on December 23, 2022.