Wesley Lyons Jr., a 35-year-old man, was handed down a hefty prison sentence for his role in the Harford Mall shooting in June 2024. Lyons found guilty on charges including second-degree attempted murder and reckless endangerment, will serve up to 65 years with no chance of parole for the initial 20 years of his term. This sentencing arrived following the conclusion of courtroom proceedings that began last December.

According to court records cited by WBAL-TV, the altercation at his son’s birthday party led to Lyons shooting the boyfriend of his child's mother three times. Camera footage from the mall confirmed the violent scene, where Lyons was seen firing the gun amidst a fight before fleeing the scene and sparking a nearly month-long manhunt. Lyons's evasive attempts ended when authorities located him at a Red Roof Inn in Hanover.

"This significant sentence sends the message loud and clear that gun violence that endangers the lives of our citizens has no place in Harford County," Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healy said in a release, as per FOX Baltimore. Healy expressed a strong stance against gun violence and displayed pride in the diligence her office has shown to preserve community safety. The state's attorney's concerns resonate with a county striving to deter such acts of violence through legal repercussions.

Lyons’ criminal history was revealed during the trial. It included a lengthy record of 20 arrests and seven convictions, including 10 appearing failures and four probation violations. The weight of his past actions may have heavily influenced the court's decision to enforce a strict sentence. Thus, Lyons will not be eligible for a parole review until at least half of his sentence is served.