Salisbury Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Attempted Murder and Firearms Offense
Wicomico County, MD - On March 20, 2026, 33-year-old Dequan Bratten of Salisbury, Maryland, was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 50 years suspended.
The sentencing was delivered in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County by the Honorable S. James Sarbanes. Bratten previously pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder and the use of a firearm in a crime of violence in April 2025.
Following his eventual release, Bratten will be placed on supervised probation for three years.
The charges stem from an investigation into a shooting that occurred on November 16, 2024.
Earlier that day, Bratten confronted the victim regarding alleged infidelity.
Following the dispute, Bratten obtained a handgun and ammunition through an illegal straw purchase facilitated by an associate, Terrance White. Bratten then waited for the victim at her residence.
When she returned from work, Bratten shot her four times as she attempted to flee. The victim survived the injuries sustained during the incident.
Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie L. Dykes addressed the outcome of the case. "This case is a chilling reminder of why we must be relentless in our effort to enforce firearms restrictions laws. Dequan Bratten was prohibited from possessing the firearm he used on November 16th, yet a single illicit transaction provided him with the means to turn a domestic dispute into a near-fatal tragedy. The victim's survival is a miracle, but it does not erase the fact that this entire event was facilitated by a criminal disregard by Bratten and White for the laws governing legal possession and transfer of firearms. Absent Bratten's prohibited access to the firearm in question, a rash and violent impulse may never have escalated into a life-altering crime."
State's Attorney Dykes formally commended the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for their thorough investigation. Specific recognition was given to lead investigator Detective Chaffey for her work. Senior Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Bourdon was also commended for her advocacy as the lead prosecutor on the case.
