Accused Shooter of Baltimore Police Officer Found Competent to Stand Trial

By Connor Driscoll [former] - July 7, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

A 29-year-old man who allegedly shot a Baltimore Police officer last year was found competent to stand trial at Baltimore City Circuit Court on July 7.

Antonio Janifer was one of two attempted murder defendants heard in mental health court on Wednesday before Judge Gale E. Rasin. He is accused of shooting a Baltimore Police officer in May 2020. 

Judge Rasin found Janifer was competent to stand trial, basing her finding on a 20-page evaluation by the Circuit Court’s Medical team. 

Janifer’s defense attorney, David Shapiro, did not object to the ruling. 

Janifer is charged with two counts of attempted first and second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree assault, and one count of home invasion. He also faces 20 weapons and traffic-related charges.

According to ABC Baltimore, an officer tried to initiate a traffic stop at around 9:30 p.m. on May 26, 2020. Janifer, who was the driver, sped away, and the officer drove after him.

Janifer then abandoned his car on the 900 block of Light Street and attempted to run away. The officer tried to chase him on foot when Janifer turned and shot the officer in the abdomen.

Janifer then carjacked a nearby vehicle and escaped. 

The officer was taken to University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Unit, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. 

A six-day manhunt ensued, ending with Janifer’s arrest by Baltimore Police officers and U.S. Marshals agents on June 1, 2020. 

Janifer’s case is scheduled for trial on July 26. 

During mental health court, another defendant in an attempted murder case was found competent to stand trial less than two weeks before his scheduled date.

Baltimore resident Nolan Floyd is set to go to trial on July 19.

Floyd, 30, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure, use of a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a handgun, as well as two counts of discharging a firearm. 

Judge Rasin’s ruling of competency was also based on an evaluation by a doctor on the Circuit Court’s Medical Team.

Floyd’s defense attorneys Andrea Jaskulsky and Chantal Joseph did not object to the holding. 

According to Fox Baltimore, Floyd’s charges stem from the shooting of a 47-year-old man near Mount Pleasant Avenue on Feb. 21, 2019. The victim sought treatment at a local hospital for non-fatal wounds to his back. 

Police arrested Floyd one week later.