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Police investigate fire in Oliver, site of mass shooting

The city police fire suppression unit is investigating a fire that broke out Wednesday night in a building adjacent to Sunday's mass shooting, 11 News Investigates learned. Anthony Martin, 36, died and seven others were injured. Police have made no arrests. The scene of the fire is a warehouse-like building in the 1300 block of North Spring Street. The city has cited the owner multiple times over the years for things like lack of commercial use permits and bulk waste complaints, 11 News Investigates learned. Aubrey Carter, an Oliver community leader, spent part of Thursday handing out fliers and announcing a meeting about the building, its tenants and the shooting. “Particularly the noise, the motorcycles, the crowds, parking on the lawn and things like that. They've raised a number of concerns,” said Carter, who is a member of the Oliver Community People's Association. “We tried to discuss the issue with them by meeting with them to find a solution.” Police confirmed they are investigating whether a motorcycle club is at the center of the shooting. Neighbors say members often meet at the building. They believe Sunday's shooting was over a dispute over a parking space.11 ​​News Investigates found numerous citations against the building's owner, Oscar Alfredo Portillo, who could not be reached for comment. City Housing issued two citations in May 2024 for lack of a business license. The notice named the Moon Motorcycle Transport Company and a nonprofit called Natural Born Champions. In 2021, the city issued a warning to the owner for improperly operating a nightclub with live entertainment and for housing motorcycles. And in 2017, the city issued a warning to the owner for improperly using the property to store sewage and shaft construction materials. The nonprofit's executive director said her business, which helps young people start businesses, was closed due to smoke damage. Markia Beckwith told 11 News Investigates she often mediated disputes between neighbors and the motorcycle club. “The guys were always a help to me,” Beckwith said. “They made sure I was safe. If I had to lift heavy things, they would always lend me a hand.” Failure to comply with the citations will result in heavy fines. The community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church in the 1300 block of Eden Street.

BALTIMORE —

The city police firefighting unit is investigating a fire that broke out Wednesday night in a building adjacent to the site of Sunday's mass shooting, 11 News Investigates has learned.

36-year-old Anthony Martin died and seven others were injured. Police made no arrests.

The scene of the fire is a warehouse-like building in the 1300 block of North Spring Street. The city has issued multiple citations to the owner over the years for missing commercial use permits and bulky waste disposal, 11 News Investigates has learned.

Aubrey Carter, a leader in the Oliver community, spent part of Thursday handing out fliers and announcing a meeting about the building, its tenants and the shooting.

“Particularly the noise, the motorcycles, the crowds, parking on the grass and things like that. They've raised a number of concerns,” said Carter, who is a member of the Oliver Community People's Association. “We've tried to address that with them by meeting with them to find a solution.”

Police confirmed they are investigating whether a motorcycle club is at the center of the shooting. Neighbors say the members often meet in the building. They believe Sunday's shooting was the result of a dispute over a parking space.

11 News Investigates found numerous subpoenas against the building's owner, Oscar Alfredo Portillo, who could not be reached for comment.

City Housing issued two citations for lack of business licenses in May 2024. The notice named the Moon Motorcycle Transport Company and a nonprofit organization called Natural Born Champions.

In 2021, the city filed charges against the owner for improper operation of a nightclub with live entertainment and storage of motorcycles.

And in 2017, the city issued a warning to the owner for improperly using the property to store sewage and shaft construction materials.

The nonprofit's executive director said her business, which helps young people start their own businesses, was forced to close due to smoke damage.

Markia Beckwith told 11 News Investigates that she often mediated disputes between neighbors and the motorcycle club.

“The guys were always a great help to me,” Beckwith said. “They made sure I was safe. When I had to lift heavy things, they always helped me.”

Failure to comply with the summons will result in heavy fines. The community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church in the 1300 block of Eden Street.

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