After counsel rested their cases in a Fells Point attempted murder trial on March 6, jurors were sent to deliberate over whether the incident, which reportedly stemmed from a misfired handgun during an apartment gathering, demonstrated clear intent to kill.
Christopher Peacock, 34, is charged with attempted murder, first degree assault, reckless endangerment and four firearm offenses for the alleged misfiring, which occurred July 20, 2025 at an apartment complex on the 900 block of Fell Street.
Peacock was reportedly attending a gathering with multiple people when an argument ensued, leading him to allegedly aim a firearm at a man’s head and pull the trigger. Charging documents state the gun misfired and the magazine fell out.
The victim told investigators that Peacock reinserted the magazine and successfully discharged the gun at the floor, causing partygoers to flee the scene.
According to the state’s attorney, evidence made it “abundantly clear” that Peacock possessed and held a handgun that afternoon. Investigators reportedly recovered a firearm from Peacock’s vehicle that contained said to be identical bullets to those found at the scene.
The state’s attorney also argued that Peacock demonstrated clear intent to kill, pointing to the defendant’s handgun qualification permit as proof that he knew how to operate the weapon. The fact that he was able to successfully fire the weapon multiple times after the initial misfire also proved his intent, said the state, adding that the misfire was the only reason the case didn’t amount to a murder trial.
Meanwhile, defense attorney Augustine Okeke accused the state of holding “reckless regard for the truth,” arguing the incident never happened. He mentioned that multiple partygoers denied witnessing the incident, and that not one resident of the apartment building called 911 after the gun discharged.
Jurors are currently deliberating Peacock’s charges.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan E. Lazerow presided over the trial.
