BEL AIR, MD—On December 11, 2024, an Edgewood man was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder following a four-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Wesley Larry Lyons Jr., was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm after being convicted of a disqualifying crime, loaded handgun on person, and five counts of reckless endangerment following a four-day trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

The shooting happened on June 2 at the Harford Bounce Party Place located at 698 Belair Road in the Harford Mall.

The state’s attorney’s office said when officers arrived they learned the suspect, Lyons, had already fled the scene. Police were unable to apprehend Lyons on the day of the shooting.

Officers were able to develop information on the suspect quickly from numerous victims and witnesses on scene. Officers were also able to review security footage of the shooting.

Prosecutors said the video showed Lyons and several others arguing and fighting when Lyons took out a handgun that appeared to have an extended magazine.

“The suspect fired several shots at the victim who was trying to break up the altercation,” the state’s attorney’s office said.

The victim was struck by one bullet in his upper left thigh, one bullet in his groin, and one in his finger, prosecutors said.

They said the victim was helping set up for a one-year-old’s birthday party. The child’s father was identified as Lyons.

“A fight broke out between Lyons’ mother and the mother of the one-year-old,” the state’s attorney’s office said. “Lyons took several seconds to clear a path before firing the gun five times at the victim. Lyons then put the gun in his waist band and fled the mall, running past several people.”

Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed that at the time the victim was shot, two additional adults and two children were standing behind the victim, recklessly endangering them by putting them at risk of being shot.

Investigators learned that Lyons was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2017 conviction for possession with the intent to distribute and a 2009 conviction for robbery.

Lyons was arrested 28 days after the shooting at a Red Roof Inn in Anne Arundel County, the state’s attorney’s office said.

He has been returned to the Harford County Detention Center where he will be held pending sentencing. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 13, 2025.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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