Tyrone Epps, 64, Pleads Guilty in Johnson Square Apartments Murder

Tyrone Epps, a 64-year-old resident of The Johnson Square Apartments, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence in the November 2024 lobby shooting death of Paul Lee, the Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City announced.

Epps lived in apartment 414 at the complex located at 501 E. Preston Street. On November 13, 2024, around 8:50 a.m., Baltimore police responded to the building's lobby after a report of a shooting. Officers found Lee suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Surveillance footage recovered from the lobby proved central to the prosecution. The footage showed Epps approaching Lee and attempting to engage him in a verbal argument. Lee did not appear to engage back. As Lee tried to retreat, Epps pointed a gun at him and fired.

"This guilty plea ensures that Mr. Epps is held fully accountable for the senseless and callous murder of Paul Lee. At 64 years old, this conviction means the Defendant will most likely spend the remainder of his life incarcerated, unable to harm anyone else," State's Attorney Ivan Bates said in a press release. "While no outcome can reverse the profound loss suffered by Mr. Lee's loved ones, we hope this resolution provides them with a measure of justice and closure. I commend the excellent work done by BPD Detectives during the investigation, as well as ASA Jeffrey Finucane and Chief Michael Dunty for their skillful prosecution of the case."

Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2025. Epps will face a life sentence, suspending no less than 30 years and no more than 50 years, according to officials. Given his age, the term effectively means Epps is likely to die incarcerated.