Woman Pleads Guilty to Killing Fiancé Days Before Planned Wedding

LOCHEARN–A woman who fatally shot her fiancé just 10 days before they were scheduled to marry pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Monday in Baltimore County Circuit Court.

Michele McCray, 43, admitted shooting Antoine William Johnson, 46, on July 1, 2025, outside their home in the 3600 block of Tulsa Road following an argument.

Under a binding plea agreement, McCray will receive a sentence of life in prison with all but 40 years suspended when she is formally sentenced Sept. 11.

The suspended portion of the sentence means McCray could be ordered to serve all or part of the remaining term if she violates probation after her release.

According to court transcripts, McCray's son told police that McCray and Johnson began arguing after Johnson returned home from work. He said his mother had been drinking and recently had been struggling with mental health issues.

McCray's son told investigators he heard McCray ask Johnson, "What are you going to do, put your hands on me?" Johnson replied, "No."

He then heard McCray say she was going to get her gun.

The son said he urged Johnson to go outside so everyone could cool off, and Johnson complied.

Moments later, he heard a gunshot and ran outside, where he found Johnson lying on the grass with a gunshot wound to the head. He told police he saw his mother standing nearby holding the gun.

McCray told police she got her gun after Johnson had tried to choke her during a physical altercation. According to charging documents, she told officers she only meant to scare him but pulled the trigger accidentally. Police did not observe any injuries on McCray, and her son said he did not see a physical confrontation between the two.

Her son also told investigators McCray was the aggressor during the confrontation, according to court transcripts.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Johnson's sister described him as "a pillar of his community" who dedicated his life to helping others. According to the fundraiser, Johnson worked as a resource coordinator for Baltimore City's Office of Child Support Services. He and McCray were engaged and had planned to marry on July 11, 2025, Johnson’s sister wrote.