Columbia Man Sentenced For Non-Fatal Shooting, Armed Robbery: Prosector

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A 20-year-old Columbia man has been sentenced for his involved in an armed robbery that happened December of 2021 and for a second non-fatal shooting that happened in 2022.

Malachi Smith of Columbia was arrested for his involvement in a February 2022 shooting in Columbia that injured one suspect and two bystanders, including a child. In that incident, Smith and a teen met two men for an illegal gun sale, according to Howard County Police. During there meeting, there was a dispute and an exchange of gunfire. One of the two men was shot in the leg and two bystanders - a mother and her child - were shot.

Smith also was arrested along with three other suspects for a December 2021 armed robbery that happened in Columbia. Howard County Police reported that they recovered illegal guns, ammunition and drugs as part of their investigation. At the time, Smith and another Columbia resident who were 18 at the time were charged with armed robbery, robbery, assault, motor vehicle theft and theft. Two teenagers also were charged in connection to the incident. Officers also recovered approximately two pounds of marijuana during the investigation.

Smith has been sentenced to 20 years suspend all but 10 years without the possibility of parole for his involvement in the December 2021 armed robbery and received an additional five years for conspiracy to commit robbery for the 2022 non-fatal shooting. Smith also was sentenced to four years and 41 days for a violation of probation stemming from a previous robbery in 2021. His total active sentence stands at 19 years and 41 days, according to prosecutors.

Upon his release from prison, Smith will be on five years of supervised probation.