Baltimore Police Officer Indicted on Attempted Murder Charge After Viral Video

A suspended Baltimore Police Officer, Robert A. Parks, was indicted yesterday on charges including attempted murder following a widely circulated video appearing to show him attempting to strike a pedestrian with his police vehicle.

The indictment, announced by State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and his Public Trust & Police Integrity Unit, details an incident that occurred on October 27 around 5:00 p.m. in the 3100 block of Wylie Avenue. According to the indictment, Parks allegedly drove his patrol car towards a man, ultimately striking him in a grassy area after a brief pursuit that included driving onto a sidewalk and through a backyard fence. The incident raises concerns about police accountability and use of force in Baltimore, a city still working to rebuild trust with its law enforcement.

Parks faces a total of five charges: second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless driving, and misconduct in office, carrying a potential maximum sentence of 65 years in prison. “These are the same charges we would bring forward for anyone operating a vehicle in this manner,” stated State’s Attorney Bates. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the officer’s actions were “unacceptable” and pledged immediate termination if convicted, adding, “This officer’s actions were completely at odds with how we expect our public servants to act.” You can learn more about police misconduct cases at the Marshall Project.

Following the incident, Parks was initially suspended without pay and has since been moved to full suspension. The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 has not yet released a statement regarding the indictment. The case is now proceeding to trial, where the evidence will be presented and a determination made regarding Parks’ guilt or innocence. For more information on the legal process, see The United States Attorney’s Manual.