The shooting outside Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore left three teens wounded.
On Oct. 27, 2023, a 15-year-old approached a group who were standing on the sidewalk near Presstman and North Bentalou streets and waiting for school to start. He started pistol-whipping one of them, prosecutors said.
His father, William Dredden III, joined in the attack. Meanwhile, his mother, Tiffany Harrison, stood and watched.
They started walking away, and their son then crossed paths with another 15-year-old. That’s when they exchanged words, pulled out guns and shot each other — and wounded a 16-year-old who was not involved in the fight.
Dredden, 41, of Berea, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Baltimore Circuit Court to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, second-degree assault, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and related offenses in exchange for a sentence of 20 years in prison, with 15 years suspended, plus three years’ probation.
He must serve five years in prison without the possibility of parole. That’s along with completing a parenting class and registering as a gun offender.
Circuit Judge Anthony F. Vittoria said he usually refrains from making comments at sentencing. But he said he makes exceptions in cases involving people who illegally have guns.
“Bad things happen that are unintended,” Vittoria said. “Here, you almost lost your son.”
Dredden’s attorney, Roland S. Harris IV, said his client intended to drive his son to school. But he jumped out of the car — and everything went sideways.
Harris said his client was working two jobs. His family was close-knit.
“It’s a serious sentence,” Harris said. “I know the whole family’s going through it.”
Harrison, 38, of Coppin Heights, previously pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. She’s set to appear in court on Sept. 13 for sentencing.
Her attorney, Natalie Finegar, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has warned that his office will look to hold parents and guardians accountable.
The case, he said, sends a clear message.
“At the end of the day, parents must be parents and not accomplices to criminal activity,” Bates said in a statement. “My office is deeply committed to ensuring that happens.”
