Co-defendants Eduardo Rodriguez, 19, and Kevin Palma-Vares, 19, appeared May 26 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland for a preliminary hearing in an attempted murder and firearm case stemming from a February 2026 shooting investigation in East Baltimore.
Rodriguez was represented by defense attorney Michael Munafo, and Palma-Vares by defense attorney Alex Leikus. During proceedings, both defendants rejected a plea offer of 50 years, suspending all but 25 years, the first five without possibility of parole. Both offers included five years of supervised probation.
The prosecution additionally submitted paperwork requesting to join the cases, so that both defendants could stand trial together.
According to court documents, officers responded on Feb. 13 to the 6400 block of E. Pratt Street after receiving reports of a group of masked Hispanic men armed with machetes during an alleged gang-related altercation. Multiple calls were reportedly received in the surrounding area regarding groups of juveniles.
While officers canvassed the area, an additional call for a firearm discharge was reported near the 300 block of Imla Street. Investigators later obtained video footage allegedly showing a silver GMC Acadia travelling southbound while an individual extended an arm from the rear driver-side window and discharged a firearm toward a pedestrian crossing the intersection. Court documents state the pedestrian fled. No injuries were reported.
Investigators recovered a 9mm shell casing from the roadway and later traced the silver GMC Acadia to an address on North Luzerne Avenue. Officers subsequently located and stopped the vehicle. Charging documents state officers recovered a Hi-Point 9mm handgun, a machete, a knife, ammunition and additional firearm-related evidence from inside the SUV.
Court records identify Rodriguez and Palma-Vares as occupants of the vehicle at the time officers conducted the stop. A juvenile was also allegedly present inside the SUV.
The trial is set to begin June 1 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.
