A Salisbury man has been sentenced to 25 active years in prison for attempted murder second-degree and more for his role in two 2025 shooting incidents.
Here's what to know about the sentencing of Semaj Ames and more about the original incident in Salisbury.
On Aug. 7, the Honorable S. James Sarbanes, administrative judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Ames, 20, of Salisbury, to 50 years in prison, suspending all but 25 years. Ames previously pleaded guilty on May 29 to attempted murder second-degree, assault first-degree, and firearm use in a crime of violence. Upon release from prison, Ames will be on supervised probation for an additional 3 years.
On the evening of July 20, 2025, following a conflict involving Ames, Ames' girlfriend, and the father to the girlfriend's child, Ames and his girlfriend drove to a residence located on Mohawk Avenue and fired a total of eight gunshots at the house. Fortunately, no one was struck and only damage to the home was sustained. Ames and his girlfriend then fled the scene, according to prosecutors.
Only an hour later, due to a related conflict, Ames' girlfriend drove Ames to the location of his child's mother on East Lincoln Street. A verbal altercation ensued in the street but quickly escalated when Ames drew his firearm for the second time that evening and pulled the trigger. The bullet missed Ames' intended targets and instead struck a female who was standing in close proximity, according to prosecutors.
LATEST BUSINESS NEWS: Ocean City Jeweler to close, new smoothies café coming to Salisbury
Law enforcement responded immediately to the scene and medical personnel transported the victim to TidalHealth where she was treated for her injuries. Ames fled the scene and enlisted family members to hide evidence of his crimes and transport him to Baltimore. Ames then fled to the state of Georgia, where he was ultimately located by law enforcement and extradited to Maryland.
"Gun violence does not end after the trigger is pulled. It destroys the lives of victims and their families and leaves a trail of community destruction in its wake," said Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes. My Office remains steadfast in its commitment to hold those who perpetrate acts of gun violence fully accountable under the law."
Angler Bill Sharpe of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., aboard the Mister Pete out of Charleston, S.C., caught an 80-lb white marlin worth $3,503,891.54.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury man sentenced for attempted murder in two shooting incidents