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By
Sage Cho
- May 23, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Angry voices rose in Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Nicole K. Barmore’s courtroom Friday as the prosecution argued in vain against defense attorney Koryn High’s motion to acquit Chardon A. Cruz III, 32, of all charges.
Cruz was charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and three firearm charges for allegedly shooting and injuring a man at Uptown Bar on Washington Boulevard. The shooting is believed to have occurred around midnight on June 30, 2024.
Investigators allegedly identified Cruz as the primary suspect using surveillance footage from both outside and inside the bar, as well as by his 2007 red four-dour Saturn Ion sedan with white rims. A similar car was seen circling the bar prior to the time of the shooting, charging documents state.
High moved to acquit Cruz on the grounds that the identifying footage failed to capture the suspect’s face or other notable identifying features. Only the suspect’s torso and white tank top were visible.
On July 1, 2024, officers reportedly located the Saturn at the 2600 block of Loretta Avenue and informed Cruz it would be towed for investigation. Cruz later responded to the Southern District headquarters and confirmed he drove the vehicle on June 30 to a Royal Farms parking lot in the 2700 block of Washington Boulevard, corroborating the events captured in area surveillance footage. He advised he then went to a liquor store before returning to his residence.
Investigations revealed his cellphone was detected in the area of Uptown Bar from the time he claimed to be at Royal Farms, to 16 minutes after the shooting.
The prosecution attempted several times to rebut despite Judge Barmore’s orders to remain seated and quiet. Eventually, Judge Barmore shouted an order to the prosecution to allow her to make her ruling. She ultimately deemed the prosecution’s evidence insufficient for a jury to convict Cruz and approved High’s motion for acquittal.
Cruz was acquitted of all charges.