Man gets 85 years in Morgan State homecoming shooting that left 5 wounded

A Washington man convicted of opening fire and wounding five people during homecoming celebrations at Morgan State University in 2023 was sentenced Wednesday to serve 85 years in prison.

As Baltimore Circuit Judge Althea Handy handed down the punishment for five counts of attempted second-degree murder and related crimes, she described Marquis Brown as a danger to the community who made an unimaginable choice.

“This was a senseless, senseless shooting,” Handy said. “It is miraculous that no one lost their life.”

On Oct. 3, 2023, Brown, 20, and Jovan “Chewy” Williams opened fire after the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Morgan State University, prosecutors allege. The historically Black university in Northeast Baltimore canceled additional homecoming events and classes.

At the time of the shooting, Brown was 17.

Williams, 21, of Washington, is awaiting trial on five counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder and related offenses. He’s set to appear back in court Aug. 31.

Assistant State’s Attorney Marina Makkar urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence: 260 years in prison.

The shooting was “incredibly traumatic,” Makkar said. Every person who was on campus that night, she said, was a victim.

“They shot into a crowd at a school,” Makkar said. “It affected an entire community.”

But Brandon Taylor, Brown’s attorney, asked the judge to hand down a sentence of 20 to 30 years.

Brown declined to make a statement.

“He is maintaining he is innocent,” Taylor said.

In a statement, Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said the penalty “ensures that he is held accountable for the devastation he caused and sends an unmistakable message about how seriously we will respond to those who recklessly endanger the lives of our young people.”

Bates called Morgan State one of the crown jewels of Baltimore, attracting people from throughout Maryland and the United States.

“The defendant’s decision to open fire into a crowded homecoming celebration showed a staggering disregard for that responsibility and for the lives and futures of everyone around him,” Bates said. “No student or their family should ever have to fear for their life while gathering to celebrate their university and community.”