A 67-year-old man has been sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison following a guilty plea in connection with a fatal shooting at a senior living community in Baltimore.
Norman Waker, who has a prior murder conviction, entered his plea on Tuesday in Baltimore Circuit Court. The charges included second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and the use of a handgun during a violent crime. The incident occurred on February 20, 2025, at Pleasant View Gardens Senior Living, resulting in the death of 79-year-old Clyde Barnes and injuries to 73-year-old Vance Winston Bey.
Circuit Judge Jeannie J. Hong approved a plea agreement that sentenced Waker to 60 years, with 35 years suspended. He will also serve five years of supervised probation and will be ineligible for parole for the first ten years of his sentence.
During the court proceedings, Waker expressed remorse, stating, “I’d like to apologize to Mr. Clyde’s family for what has happened. I’m not a bad person.”
The shooting prompted lockdowns at nearby schools, including the National Academy Foundation and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, as police responded to the scene. Authorities closed off surrounding roads while a SWAT team conducted a sweep of the area.
Waker had previously faced trial in 2025, but the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict after approximately five and a half hours of deliberation, resulting in a mistrial. Assistant State’s Attorney Victoria Yeager indicated that the plea deal was a reasonable resolution following the mistrial.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates condemned the violence, emphasizing that senior living facilities should be places of safety and comfort. A victim advocate read a statement from Barnes' daughter, Zelda Johnson, who described her father as an outgoing individual whose life was cut short.
Waker’s defense attorney, Matthew Connell, noted that Waker is facing significant health issues, including the amputation of his left leg and cirrhosis. He remarked that the sentence could effectively be a life term for Waker, given his age and health condition.
Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).
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