Counsel Argues Over Who Shot First in 2022 Eutaw Place Shooting

By Andrew Michaels , Alyssia Davis [former] - June 1, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Who shot first?

Counsel in the case of attempted homicide defendant Wardell Richardson argued over the answer to this question at the start of the 45-year-old man’s bench trial on June 1 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Erik Atas.

During the prosecutor’s opening statement, she told the judge that Baltimore Police were called to the 2000 block of Eutaw Place for reports of 13 gunshots on March 21, 2022. Officers arrived to find Richardson with a gunshot wound to his right leg and provide medical attention. Richardson told police that he didn’t know who shot him, but that it was a drive-by shooting.

Police later learned that although there was another shooter, Richardson was the initial aggressor, according to witnesses. Richardson’s handgun was recovered when a witness told police that the defendant gave it to her, and the victim told police where to recover his handgun.

Defense attorney Janet Andersen, who represented Richardson alongside Robert Cohen, countered that video surveillance footage will show the victim fired shots first after reaching into his bag and pulling out a handgun. The defense attorney noted that Richardson was in a relationship with the mother of the victim’s children.

The victim told police that he was angry over paying child support, she explained, while Richardson continued his relationship with the mother of his children and saw the victim’s children.

“[The victim] has motive, intent, and a prior assault against Richardson,” Andersen concluded, arguing that her client shot back in self-defense.

The case continued with pre-trial motions before proceeding with testimony.