Salisbury man convicted of attempted murder in 2021 shooting outside Guido’s Burritos

SALISBURY, Md. – A Salisbury man has been convicted of attempted murder in connection to a shooting almost one year ago.

During the early morning hours of October 23, 2021, 24-year-old Markell Purnell and another co-defendant got into an altercation with patrons outside of Guido’s Burritos on South Salisbury Boulevard. In an attempt to seek retaliation in connection to the previous altercation, a third co-defendant gave Purnell a handgun, at which point Purnell immediately fired multiple rounds at the victim, who was standing in close proximity to other patrons leaving the restaurant. The victim was hit in the leg by a single bullet, and several vehicles were hit by projectiles.

No one else was injured, and the victim was treated and released from TidalHealth.

Purnell was prohibited from possessing a handgun at the time of the incident due to a previous conviction. Following a two-day jury trial, Purnell was convicted earlier this week of attempted first degree murder and related firearms charges. Sentencing was deferred pending receipt of a pre-sentence investigation, and Purnell will remain in custody pending sentencing.