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Michael Baltimore, 47, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and aggravated assault on Thursday (January 8) for the shooting at GQ Barbershop in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, nearly five years ago. The incident resulted in the death of Kendell Cook and the injury of Anthony Lamar White. Baltimore appeared before Cumberland County Common Pleas Judge Christylee Peck to enter his plea.
The shooting occurred on May 22, 2021, when Baltimore entered the barbershop wearing camouflage clothing and a black mask. Cook, a barber at the shop, recognized Baltimore and called out his name before being shot. Baltimore then shot at White, who was attempting to flee, seriously injuring him. White survived the attack but later died in an unrelated incident.
Baltimore's guilty plea was part of a plea agreement, which includes a sentence of 15 to 30 years in state prison, served consecutively with a four to 10-year sentence for a previous firearm theft conviction. The families of Cook and White agreed to the plea deal, which was crucial for the prosecution's acceptance.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorneys Elizabeth Judd and Jennifer Robinson, with significant contributions from Carlisle Police Detective Thomas Dolan and other members of the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division. District Attorney Seán M. McCormack acknowledged the challenges faced during the investigation, including the death of a key witness, White, and personal tragedies affecting other witnesses.