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By
Riley Mathews
, Allyson Rogers - July 2, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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The jury heard contradicting closing statements in the assault trial of Dwayne Frazier before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Troy K. Hill on July 1.
Frazier, 48, is charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime and discharging a firearm in connection to a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred last September.
On Sept. 26, 2024, around 5 a.m., Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to gunfire on the 4400 block of N. Macon Street. Frazier and an unnamed woman were driving in a black Honda when they suspected another car was following. When Frazier activated his right blinker and turned left, the car behind them reportedly did the same.
During police interrogation, Frazier alleged he stepped out of his car and waited for the car following them to pass, so he could see who was inside. He reported he saw two Black men, one of whom had a gun in the passenger seat.
It was later uncovered that one of the men was a police sergeant.
“I was fearful for my life,” Frazier said as he admitted to discharging the gun through the back window of the vehicle.
In his closing statement, defense attorney Brian Bennett argued that Frazier made “reasonable” and “justified” decisions due to the perceived imminent threat against his and his passenger’s lives.
Prosecution argued against the self defense claim, stating that Frazier used excessive force and gave several different reasons for discharging the gun.
“He could have called the police. He could have gotten out of the place …” said the prosecution. “Instead, he stopped, waited for the car to come around the corner and fired shots. Mr. Frazier is the aggressor here.”
The jury is deliberating.