Nationwide — Baltimore State’s Lawyer Ivan Bates has introduced a sweeping indictment towards suspended Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks after a viral video reveals the officer trying to make use of his patrol car to run over an African American civilian. Bates made the announcement alongside his Public Belief & Police Integrity Unit on Wednesday, November 12, emphasizing that the costs replicate the severity of the actions captured on video. Parks now faces second-degree tried homicide, a number of assault counts, reckless driving, and misconduct in workplace—expenses that would lead to as much as 65 years in jail if he’s convicted on all counts.
In keeping with Fox 45 Baltimore, the incident occurred on October 27 round 5:00 p.m. outdoors Wylie Liquors Bar on Wylie Avenue, the place a number of folks had been gathered. Parks approached the group, instructed them it was “getting a little bit sizzling,” and requested them to “take a lap.” After the group started strolling away, he reentered his patrol automotive and drove westbound earlier than stopping close to one of many people. Prosecutors say Parks referred to as the individual by identify, motioned for him to return over, and warned him to not “make it worse,” however the person refused and started strolling away.
Prosecutors allege that Parks then escalated the state of affairs by threatening to “name the canine,” returning to his patrol car, and radioing that he had “one operating.” Investigators say he then drove straight towards the person with rising velocity, forcing the person to dash right into a grassy space to keep away from being struck. The indictment states that Parks steered into the grass and hit the person earlier than persevering with to pursue him onto the sidewalk between a fence and utility pole, driving in areas the place no car ought to journey.
The chase continued into an alley behind close by houses and companies, the place Parks allegedly made a U-turn and accelerated by means of a chain-link fence right into a yard on Sumter Avenue. In keeping with prosecutors, the person escaped solely by leaping over a fence moments earlier than Parks’ car crashed and have become disabled. After the crash, Parks briefly pursued the person on foot earlier than abandoning the chase and returning to his patrol automotive. Officers later confirmed that Parks’ police powers had been suspended instantly after the incident and had been escalated to suspension with out pay earlier this week.
State’s Lawyer Bates stated the costs replicate the hazard posed to each the focused civilian and the broader group, noting that law enforcement officials should be held to the identical authorized requirements as anybody else who makes use of a car as a weapon. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott additionally issued an announcement supporting the costs, calling the officer’s conduct “unacceptable” and pledging that Parks will probably be terminated if convicted. The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police acknowledged the costs in a separate assertion on November 12, whereas metropolis officers confirmed ongoing inner investigations.
The viral video that sparked the investigation confirmed Parks driving off the roadway and thru a grassy lot earlier than finally crashing into the yard fence of an aged lady’s dwelling. That resident has since obtained official paperwork concerning repairs to metropolis property broken throughout the chase. Because the authorized proceedings transfer ahead, metropolis leaders say the case underscores the significance of accountability to take care of group belief and maintain Baltimore’s progress in decreasing violent crime.
