A co-defendant will be sentenced at a later date.
Frederick, Md (KM) Sentence was handed down on Tuesday to one person arrested following a gun battle in downtown Frederick in December of 2022 following the Kris Kringle Parade. The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office says Atu Abasi Adeyemi, 51, was given 30 years in prison with all but five years suspended. He will be placed on five-years of supervised probation after he’s released from incarceration. .
Adeyemi pleaded guilty on May 29th to 1st-degree assault and use of a firearms in a felony crime of violence.
The co-defendant in the case, David Gray of Frederick, 33, pleaded guilty in June to attempted 2nd-degree murder and use of a handgun in a violent crime. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on August 7th.
On December 9th, 2022 at around 8:20 PM, police responded to the first block South Market Street near West All Saints Street for reports of gunfire shortly after the Kris Kringle parade ended. Callers told authorities two individuals were in a confrontation which escalated into a gun fight.
Upon arrival, police say an officer observed one of the suspects involved in the exchange of gunshots flee the scene. The officer, identified as Corporal Daniel Sullivan, fired his service weapon at one of the suspects identified as Adeyemi. He dropped his weapon and raised his hands into the air. Adeyemi was taken into custody.
Frederick Police say they continued their investigation and identified Gray as the second suspect. He was taken into custody on December 14th, 2022.
The Montgomery County Police Department investigated the Frederick Police Officer’s use of force. Following that, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Corporal Sullivan.
Frederick Police conducted a criminal investigation into this incident, but the case was handled in court by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. The court proceedings took place at the Frederick County Court House.
By Kevin McManus