Jury selection got underway Sept. 1 in a St. Victor Street shooting allegedly involving 25-year-old Bernard Christopher Crawford.
The case is being argued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul Cucuzzella.
Crawford is charged with first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime and reckless endangerment.
According to court documents on February 9, 2025 at approximately 9 p.m. officers responded to the 3700 block of St. Victor Street.
A 911 caller said she heard a victim screaming, “Get off of me, he is trying to kill me.” Upon arrival, Officers observed a group walking on St. Victor Street towards E. Patapsco Avenue screaming profanities at each other. One individual ran up to an officer’s car saying he wanted to kill himself and was subsequently transported to Harbor Hospital.
Once at the hospital, the individual said he was fist-fighting with his brother after trying to help him get away from a gunshot that he heard.
He explained that his brother’s ex-girlfriend was doing hair braiding for others inside the St. Victor Street house. However, the new boyfriend got into an argument with his former girlfriend and the defendant tried to intervene. The witness then heard the sound of one gunshot, ran down into the kitchen, and tried to help his brother. The witness said Crawford said, “You are lucky your brother is here or I will kill you.” He added that the defendant left with his brother’s ex girlfriend.
After the defendant left, the brawl continued. The witness described Crawford as a large, light.skinned male, with a dark beard, dreadlocks, wearing a dark coat, gray pants, and Nike Jordan speakers.
In searching the house, officers asked if there was a shooting and the brothers’mother said she saw a suspect shooting a hole in the kitchen ceiling.
Judge Cucuzella moved ahead with jury selection even though the jury pool was limited.
The trial is set to continue on Sept 2.
