Last year, a Baltimore man died of a gunshot wound. Maybe this doesn’t seem all that interesting or new to you, but here’s the kicker: he was shot two decades ago, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
The case in question stems back to August 27, 1997, when Keith Cooper was shot in the back while on the 2200 block of Fleetwood Avenue in Baltimore. Cooper was transported to a local hospital and was treated for the gunshot wound.
Cooper died at his home 22 years later in October 2019. The medical examiner ruled that Cooper’s death was caused by injuries from the gunshot wound, therefore ruling it a homicide. The Baltimore Police Department was notified of Cooper’s death early in March 2020. The primary concern for the police with this case, though, is that no one was ever arrested in connection with Cooper’s shooting 22 years ago.
How gunshot wounds can kill you years later
Sadly, this story is not an anomaly. Gunshot wounds to kill victims years after the shooting, sometimes even decades, more often than you think. So, how does a gunshot wound from decades ago lead to a murder charge? It all comes down to the chain of events that led to the person’s death.
For example, people who are paralyzed from their wounds often dies of non-gunshot-related issues, such as breathing problems, infections, or blood clots – but their deaths can still be classified as homicides.
Maryland statute of limitations
When it comes to murder in Maryland, there is no statute of limitations set forth by law. This means that if the police are able to tie someone to Cooper’s shooting, he or she can still be charged with and tried for his murder even though the shooting occurred 22 years ago.
Maryland gun crime penalties
There are various laws on the books in Maryland that govern the use of firearms. You cannot carry a handgun in Maryland without a permit. This includes concealed carry or out in the open at your home, in your car, on the road, or any other public place.
You cannot acquire a permit if you are under the age of 18, have a felony conviction on your record, spent more than one year in prison for a misdemeanor charge, have yet to complete the required training, are an alcoholic or have a history of drug use, or have violent tendencies discovered in an investigation.
Maryland does not allow anyone to possess a firearm on school property unless he or she is a law enforcement officer, a school safety officer, a retired law enforcement officer with a concealed carry permit, or were asked to conduct an education display on historical weapons by the school.
Have you been charged with a homicide in Maryland? If so, it’s time you sat down with a member of the Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law team. With offices in Annapolis and Ellicott City, we can better serve our clients. Call our office at 410-271-1892 or complete a contact form to schedule a consultation today.
And remember – Keep Calm, and Call Drew.
