Chicago Native Denied Bail for Baltimore Non-Fatal Shooting

By Emma-Victoria Villanueva [former] - July 1, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

Chicago native Eric Smith, who is allegedly involved in a non-fatal shooting, was denied bail on July 1.

Smith, 38, faces eight charges including, having an unregistered rifle/shotgun, possession of a rifle/shotgun with a felony conviction, possession of firearms, possession of bulletproof armor, possession of an assault weapon, having detached magazines over 10 rounds, giving a false statement to officers, and firing a firearm in Baltimore City in connection to an incident on May 25.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Phillip Jackson. denied bail due to the defendant’s prior convictions in Illinois and Michigan. 

Smith, who moved to Baltimore two years ago, is a stay-at-home father to four children ranging in age from one to 14 years old.  He has no criminal record in Maryland but has a 2009 drug-related felony in Illinois and a 2011 domestic violence conviction in Michigan, said defense counsel Brandon Mead. 

Smith was hosting a birthday celebration for his girlfriend of 19 years on May 24. A guest allegedly brought a gun to the party to show to Smith. Smith was then shot in the foot and transported to a nearby hospital, said Mead. Smith was the only person injured.  

Baltimore Police officers obtained a warrant to search Smith’s house. They found a modified AR-15 with a short barrel, no serial number or manufacturer information. The officers also found more than one hundred rounds of ammunition and body armor, said the prosecutor.

Smith’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7.