Opening statements were heard July 21 in the trial of 23-year-old Bernard Hopkins before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan Lazerow. The suspect is accused of shooting a police officer.
Hopkins is charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, illegal possession of a registered firearm, possession of a firearm as a minor, illegal possession of ammunition, reckless endangerment and violating a protection order in connection to a Sept. 30, 2022 incident on E. Chase Street.
According to prosecutors, officers responded to Hopkins’ mother’s home after learning he was there despite a protective order prohibiting him from being there. After Hopkins allegedly resisted officers’ attempts to detain him, a physical struggle ensued. During the struggle, a gun was fired, striking one of the officers in the thigh.
Prosecutors said officers were unaware Hopkins had a gun in his pocket until the shot went off. The injured officer was transported to the hospital, and Hopkins was taken into custody.
During opening arguments, prosecution argued Hopkins intentionally shot the officer, intending to kill him, and emphasized that he was prohibited from possessing the firearm.
Defense attorneys Benjamin Charlton and Meredith Johnston argued the shooting was an accident that occurred after officers responded to a mental health crisis. The defense said Hopkins, who is bipolar and experiences violent mood swings, did not intend to kill the officer and was unaware he had fired the gun during the struggle. Defense counsel argued that “things fall apart” when unprepared officers escalate a mental health crisis by using physical force.
The trial is expected to continue through the week.
