Nationwide — Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has announced a sweeping indictment against suspended Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks after a viral video shows the officer attempting to use his patrol vehicle to run over an African American civilian. Bates made the announcement alongside his Public Trust & Police Integrity Unit on Wednesday, November 12, emphasizing that the charges reflect the severity of the actions captured on video. Parks now faces second-degree attempted murder, multiple assault counts, reckless driving, and misconduct in office—charges that could result in up to 65 years in prison if he is convicted on all counts.
According to Fox 45 Baltimore, the incident occurred on October 27 around 5:00 p.m. outside Wylie Liquors Bar on Wylie Avenue, where several people were gathered. Parks approached the group, told them it was “getting a little hot,” and asked them to “take a lap.” After the group began walking away, he reentered his patrol car and drove westbound before stopping near one of the individuals. Prosecutors say Parks called the person by name, motioned for him to come over, and warned him not to “make it worse,” but the individual refused and began walking away.
Prosecutors allege that Parks then escalated the situation by threatening to “call the dogs,” returning to his patrol vehicle, and radioing that he had “one running.” Investigators say he then drove directly toward the man with increasing speed, forcing the individual to sprint into a grassy area to avoid being struck. The indictment states that Parks steered into the grass and hit the man before continuing to pursue him onto the sidewalk between a fence and utility pole, driving in areas where no vehicle should travel.
The chase continued into an alley behind nearby homes and businesses, where Parks allegedly made a U-turn and accelerated through a chain-link fence into a backyard on Sumter Avenue. According to prosecutors, the man escaped only by jumping over a fence moments before Parks’ vehicle crashed and became disabled. After the crash, Parks briefly pursued the man on foot before abandoning the chase and returning to his patrol car. Officials later confirmed that Parks’ police powers were suspended immediately after the incident and were escalated to suspension without pay earlier this week.
State’s Attorney Bates said the charges reflect the danger posed to both the targeted civilian and the broader community, noting that police officers must be held to the same legal standards as anyone else who uses a vehicle as a weapon. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also issued a statement supporting the charges, calling the officer’s behavior “unacceptable” and pledging that Parks will be terminated if convicted. The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police acknowledged the charges in a separate statement on November 12, while city officials confirmed ongoing internal investigations.
The viral video that sparked the investigation showed Parks driving off the roadway and through a grassy lot before ultimately crashing into the backyard fence of an elderly woman’s home. That resident has since received official paperwork regarding repairs to city property damaged during the chase. As the legal proceedings move forward, city leaders say the case underscores the importance of accountability to maintain community trust and sustain Baltimore’s progress in reducing violent crime.