A crime lab technician and Baltimore City detective testified as the attempted murder trial of Isaiah Andrew Stroup continued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy on Aug. 12.
Stroup, 19, is represented by defense attorney Jerry Rodriguez. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime and other related offenses in connection with a June 29, 2025, shooting on the 2400 block of Bridgehampton Drive.
According to charging documents, a man and his girlfriend were sitting inside a vehicle when three individuals allegedly approached during an attempted robbery and carjacking. The male victim was shot in the face and later hospitalized in critical condition. Prosecutors allege Stroup was driving the vehicle used by the group while two other individuals approached the victims.
The state first called a crime lab technician who responded to the scene. She described the area as residential, with the investigation centered around a large parking lot near apartment buildings.
The technician testified that she photographed the surrounding area and a vehicle in the parking lot. She also recovered suspected blood, which was swabbed and submitted for laboratory testing. She said no bystanders were in the immediate area while she processed the scene.
The state then called a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detective who testified that he observed an Acura at the scene and canvassed the area for surveillance cameras and potential witnesses.
During the investigation, the detective spoke with the female victim, who told him that several individuals pulled up, attempted to rob the couple, and that one of them shot her boyfriend before fleeing.
The detective later executed a search warrant on the victims’ Acura and recovered a 9 mm cartridge casing. He testified that investigators later received information suggesting the casing could be connected to ballistic evidence recovered in separate Baltimore County incidents.
After the shooting victim was well enough to speak, the detective interviewed him. The victim described three individuals involved in the incident, including one person who remained with the vehicle while the other two approached the couple.
The detective also testified that investigators received information connecting a firearm recovered in Baltimore County to the casing found in the Acura, though no specific confirming ballistic test was discussed during his testimony.
Investigators ultimately interviewed Stroup. According to the detective, Stroup allegedly made a statement about being the only person among those he associated with who matched the description investigators were discussing.
A photo array was later shown to the shooting victim, who identified a person said to be Stroup, according to the detective.
The trial is continuing.
