Paul Artis, 26, has pleaded guilty to charges of First-Degree Murder and Use of Handgun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence after a 2024 fatal shooting in Baltimore, with the State's Attorney's office stating a life sentence plus 20 years is on the table for the December 10 sentencing, as reported by WBAL. The incident occurred in the early hours on the 900 block of E. Patapsco Avenue, where Ondrel Mayo, 34, was found with multiple gunshot wounds near an SUV.
Baltimore Police recovered 9mm shell casings from the scene, with surveillance footage revealing Artis approaching Mayo and firing several shots before fleeing the area, after the shooting both Artis and Viola Poole, who has been sentenced to 10 years with all but three suspended for her role as an accessory after the fact, were seen on video at a nearby IHOP and then again when Poole picked up Artis' car close to the crime scene, this according to a press release obtained by FOX Baltimore.
Artis surrendered himself for questioning days later, giving inconsistent statements, but confirmed his presence during the crime by identifying himself in the surveillance footage. Poole, who earlier pleaded guilty in June 2025, will face five years of supervised probation with stringent conditions, including alcohol and mental health treatment.
Commending the guilty plea, State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates highlighted the strength of the collected evidence, which led to this resolution, "I commend ASA Godwin for securing this plea and the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit for compiling such compelling evidence that the defendant was persuaded to take accountability for their violent actions," he said in a statement, as reported by FOX Baltimore, "My team and I are committed to seeing justice served for Mr. Mayo and his family."
