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Witnesses say dispute over parking space led to mass shooting

Nearly 24 hours after the shooting near a park in the Oliver neighborhood, a heavy police presence remains in East Baltimore. Around 8 p.m. Sunday night, 36-year-old Anthony Martin was killed and seven other people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, investigators said. After police left, Roca and the mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement canvassed the neighborhood, offering resources and support. The mass shooting began with a dispute over a parking space, according to witnesses. It happened after a motorcycle group gathered to commemorate a member who died during a balloon launch, witnesses said. Then a fight broke out, according to witnesses. “One guy moved a cone and wanted his girlfriend or wife to park there. And that's when it all started. It exploded,” said Chareese, a witness. Chareese said everyone lined up in a circle. Expecting trouble, she called 911. “We called 911 to report it,” Chareese said. “We called twice. I even made a 311 complaint — I said there was a disturbance and noise in the community and we're trying to keep the community clean.” Investigators spent most of Monday looking for witnesses and surveillance footage. 11 News counted eight cameras near the crime scene alone and one Ring camera near the parking lot where the argument broke out. “I've never seen anything like that in my entire life,” Chareese said. “I've lived here since I was born, so it was very disturbing.” With the exception of Martin, all of the victims are now in stable condition. Investigators believe multiple people fired guns. They found several firearms at the scene. Despite the crime scene, life goes on in Oliver. 11 News saw children playing basketball around police tape on Monday. Neighbors said historic Oliver is a stable neighborhood. “Just last Sunday, there was a good fundraiser in the park. Yesterday morning, before this event, there was a clothing drive where clothes were distributed to the community. There are a lot of good things happening in the community – I feel like this event could overshadow all of that,” said someone who lives in the neighborhood. MONSE and Roca spent the rest of the afternoon knocking on doors and offering support and resources to traumatized neighbors. They also began a 45-day collaboration with the neighborhood. “To reach out to the community, hand out letters with phone numbers, email addresses, resources – to let people know we are here to have a presence,” said Stephanie Mavronis, director of MONSE.

BALTIMORE —

Nearly 24 hours after shots were fired near a park in the Oliver neighborhood, there remains a heavy police presence in East Baltimore.

Around 8 p.m. Sunday evening, 36-year-old Anthony Martin was killed and seven others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after a mass shooting, investigators said.

After the police left, Roca and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement reached out to the neighborhood, offering resources and support.

The mass shooting began with a dispute over a parking space, witnesses said. It happened after a motorcycle group gathered to remember a member who died during a balloon launch, witnesses said. Then a fight broke out, witnesses said.

“Someone moved a pylon and wanted his girlfriend or wife to park there. And then it all started. It exploded,” said Chareese, a witness.

Chareese said everyone stood in a circle. She expected trouble and called 911.

“We called 911 to report it,” Chareese said. “We called twice. I even filed a complaint with 311 – I said there was a disturbance and noise in the community and we try to keep the community clean.”

Investigators spent most of Monday searching for witnesses and surveillance footage. 11 News counted eight cameras near the crime scene alone and one Ring camera near the parking lot where the argument broke out.

“I've never seen anything like this in my entire life,” Chareese said. “I've lived here since I was born, so it was very disturbing.”

With the exception of Martin, all of the victims are now in stable condition. Investigators believe that several people fired weapons. They found several firearms at the crime scene.

Despite the crime scene, life goes on in Oliver. 11 News saw children playing basketball near the police tape on Monday. Neighbors said historic Oliver is a stable neighborhood.

“Just last Sunday there was a great fundraiser in the park. Yesterday morning, before this event, there was a clothing drive where they distributed clothes to the community. There are a lot of good things happening in the community – I feel like this event could overshadow all of that,” said someone who lives in the neighborhood.

MONSE and Roca spent the rest of the afternoon knocking on doors, offering support and assistance to traumatized neighbors and beginning a 45-day collaboration with the neighborhood.

“To connect with the community, share letters with phone numbers, email addresses, resources – to let people know we are here and we have a presence,” said Stephanie Mavronis, director of MONSE.

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