The case of Troy D. Ayers, 42, was postponed for the fifth time on April 22 after the state informed the court they are not “up to speed” to go to trial.
Ayers is charged with several counts of attempted first-degree murder and multiple firearm violations in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred Sept. 30, 2025, on the 3700 block of Harlem Avenue.
According to court documents, Southwest District patrol officers responded to a discharge call at the incident location and were advised of a black pick-up truck leaving the area with a shattered rear window.
Later that day, a walk-in victim arrived at St. Agnes Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to her head. The victim was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where officers met with her.
The victim stated she entered her stepfather’s black Dodge Ram pick-up truck after placing her four-year-old sister in the backseat. They began to drive east on Harlem Avenue, where the victim stated she observed an unknown Black man lift his shirt, produce a handgun and open fire at the vehicle.
Ayers, who became a person of interest after an investigation and an alleged positive identification in a photo array. He is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm due to a 2002 conviction for possessing a dangerous substance.
The state requested the postponement after a reassignment of prosecutors. Defense attorney Tony Garcia objected and added he plans to submit motions to compel the prosecutors to turn over evidence. He asked the judge to proceed with the trial.
“We’ve been ready to go,” said Garcia, noting Ayers has remained incarcerated throughout tthe prosecution’s reassignment process.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton ultimately found the state’s postponement request reasonable.
The postponement request was approved by Judge Melissa K. Copeland in reception court. The trial is now scheduled to proceed July 16 before Judge Alan C. Lazerow.
