A Baltimore Police officer

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

What started as a viral TikTok video showing a Baltimore Police officer allegedly trying to mow down a man with his cruiser has now led to criminal charges that could put him behind bars for decades.

Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks, the cop seen in the video that spread across social media in late October, has been indicted on a host of charges, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Specifically, Parks was charged with:

  • Second-degree attempted murder;
  • First- and second-degree assault;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Misconduct in office.

The video can be viewed here:

According to the indictment, Parks drove to Wylie Liquors Bar in the 3100 block of Wylie Avenue around 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 28, where several people were standing on the sidewalk. 

He got out of his patrol car and told them, “It’s getting a little hot, guys. I just need you guys to take a lap, you know.”

One man started to walk away. As the group dispersed, Parks got back into his cruiser and pulled up next to the man, calling him by name and saying, “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...” before motioning for the man to walk toward him. The man replied, “No,” and continued walking away.

That’s when, prosecutors allege, things escalated. And it was all caught on camera.

“All right, I’m gonna call the dogs and come get you,” Parks shouted before radioing in, “I have one running, adult male... in the alley.”

Moments later, Parks drove his police cruiser directly at the man — first down a paved driveway, then across a grassy area, steering toward him as the man tried to escape. 

The car struck the man, who ran away toward Wylie Avenue, prosecutors said. Parks then followed in his vehicle, driving onto the sidewalk and between a utility pole and a fence as the man fled.

The chase continued through an alley, where Parks allegedly plowed through a chain-link fence and into a backyard on Sumter Avenue, “nearly striking the man and causing him to jump over a fence to avoid being hit,” prosecutors said. 

The patrol car became disabled, and Parks got out and began chasing the man on foot — but stopped seconds later and returned to his vehicle, the indictment states.

“These are the same charges we would bring forward for anyone operating a vehicle in this manner,” State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates said. 

“When a police officer threatens the safety of those they are sworn to protect, it erodes the crucial trust between the community and law enforcement that is critical to the historic reductions in violent crime in our city and essential to keeping Baltimore safe.”

If convicted on all counts, Parks faces up to 65 years in prison. There is no maximum penalty for the misconduct in office charge.

The case will be prosecuted by Chief of the Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit Steven Trostle.

“The contents of the video are deeply concerning,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said when the video went viral. 

“The officer in question has been suspended, and the situation is under investigation. This investigation will be thorough, in accordance with all laws and regulations, to ensure proper accountability.”

Matthew Mancuso, the president of FOP Lodge #3 said that he is asking the public to "keep an open mind after watching the video and listening to (Bates)." 

"As State's Attorney Bates mentioned, an indictment does not mean guilty. I'm curious as to why certain important and relevant facts that were known to the officer during this encounter were not disclosed, and why," Mancuso said. "If State's Attorney Bates thought it was important to go into so much detail regarding the facts, why not provide all the facts?"

"The officer has not been found guilty of any crime and please allow this officer to have his day in court."