Suspended Baltimore Officer Indicted After Viral Video Shows Him Driving Cruiser at Black Man
Maryland State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has announced a sweeping indictment against suspended Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks, following explosive video footage that spread across social media and appeared to show Parks using his patrol car to try and run over a man.
Bates revealed the charges during a Wednesday, November 12 press conference alongside his Public Trust & Police Integrity Unit, according to CBS News.
Parks is now facing second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless driving, and misconduct in office. If convicted on all counts, he could spend up to 65 years behind bars.
According to the indictment, the incident unfolded on October 27 around 5 p.m., when Parks pulled up to Wylie Liquors Bar on Wylie Avenue, where several people were gathered outside. After stepping out of his patrol car, he approached the group.
“It’s getting a little hot, guys. I just need you guys to take a lap, you know,” Parks said.
As the group began to disperse, Parks returned to his police vehicle and followed one man who had started walking away. He stopped near him and called him over, getting out of the cruiser again.
“Don’t make it worse. I’m going to be straight up with you. I’m going to be straight up with you. You gotta come…” he said while motioning for the man to approach.
The man refused—saying, “No”—and continued walking off. Parks then shouted, “all right, I’m gonna call the dogs and come get you.”
The indictment details that Parks got back into his cruiser and radioed, “I have one running, adult male... in the alley.”
From there, prosecutors say Parks accelerated his patrol car directly toward the man, who dodged into a grassy area. Parks allegedly swerved toward him again, striking him. Even after the man fled toward Wylie Avenue, Parks continued pursuing, driving onto the sidewalk between a fence and utility pole to cut him off.
The chase continued through alleys and backyards. At one point, Parks made a U-turn, barreled through a chain-link fence, and drove into a backyard on Sumter Avenue. The man escaped by jumping another fence, according to charging documents.
