January 8, 2026: Commonwealth v. Michael A. Baltimore – This afternoon, Michael Baltimore, 47, appeared before Cumberland County Common Pleas Judge Christylee Peck and admitted that on May 22, 2021, he shot and killed Kendell Jerome Cook in the GQ Barbershop. Baltimore also admitted to shooting and seriously injuring Anthony Lamar White. Baltimore made these admissions as he pleaded guilty today to Murder in the Third Degree and Aggravated Assault.  Jury selection in the case was set to begin on Monday January 12, 2026.  

On May 22, 2021, Baltimore entered the GQ Barbershop wearing camouflage clothing, his face covered by black mask.  Kendell Cook, who was working in the barbershop that evening, upon seeing the masked man enter, exclaimed “Mike” seconds before Baltimore began shooting.  After shooting Cook, Baltimore then began to fire at Anthony White who as he was fleeing out the back of the shop. White was seriously wounded but survived. 

Baltimore’s admissions of guilt were pursuant to a plea agreement. Baltimore pleaded guilty to Third Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault in return for a sentence of 15 years to 30 years in state prison.  He will serve that sentence consecutive to a sentence of 4 years to 10 years that he is currently serving for the theft of a firearm. Members of Kendell Cook’s and Anthony White’s families were present in court today to hear Baltimore admit to shooting their loved ones. Their agreement with the negotiated deal was key to the Commonwealth agreeing to this plea and sentence.      

This case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Judd and Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Robinson.  Carlisle Police Detective Thomas Dolan was the affiant in the case.  Detectives Dave Miller and Gordon Goodrow as well as other members of the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division also assisted in the investigation of this incident. 

District Attorney Seán M. McCormack stated after today’s proceedings, “A lot of hard work and many hours went into us being able today to bring justice to Kendell and Anthony’s families. There were a lot of obstacles we had to overcome to reach this point. Anthony White, not only a victim but a key witness tragically died, and another witness is dealing with the death of his son as the result of an unrelated homicide in Harrisburg. These were just some of the hurdles we needed to clear to get this case into court. Chief DDAs Judd and Robinson did a fantastic job bringing this case forward to the point that Michael Baltimore finally admitted in open court today that he committed these crimes.”