A mass shooting trial got underway March 13 in an East Baltimore case, with counsel presenting their opening statements to the jury and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow.
44-year old Eric Kibler faces a total of 47 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of first-degree attempted murder for his alleged role in a 2024 shooting that left 36-year-old Anthony Martin dead and seven others injured.
Around 8 p.m. on the night of Aug. 18, 2024, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of N. Spring Street for a reported shooting. Prior to the shooting, the Thunderguards motorcycle club had been holding a memorial cookout to honor a recently deceased member.
During the gathering, members of the club reportedly became involved in a parking dispute with Martin, a resident of the area. As the argument escalated, shots were fired, striking Martin and seven bystanders.
During their investigation, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detectives recovered surveillance footage from the area that showed a suspect standing in front of Martin and firing his weapon. Police later identified Kibler as the alleged shooter.
In their opening statement, the prosecution presented a case of conspiracy and retaliation, telling jurors that Kibler could be seen on video instructing his associates to shoot Martin after the victim fired his gun into the sky. The prosecution added that one of the surveillance camera’s wires had been cut to prevent recording, suggesting premeditation.
According to the state, the defendant and his associates believed Martin needed to be “taught a lesson” after he “disrespected the motorcycle gang.”
Defense attorney Tony N. Garcia argued that the case and evidence “make no sense.” He told jurors the prosecution’s firearm expert would testify that there were at least 16 firearms present at the scene, meaning there must have been more than one shooter.
Garcia claimed the prosecution was “asking [jurors] to guess,” noting investigators never recovered a gun from Kibler’s person or successfully matched recovered shell casings to a gun in his possession.
Testimony is set to continue March 16.
