Man Accused of Shooting at Club Bellissimo Security Guard Released on Own Recognizance

By Andrew Michaels - April 9, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A 22-year-old Bowie man accused of shooting at a security guard at Club Bellissimo was released on his own recognizance on April 9, meaning he can remain at liberty while awaiting his May trial.

Skyler Lampkin was previously released on home detention under what Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria described as “fairly liberal” restrictions that allowed the defendant to attend medical appointments as well as holiday leave last December.

During Tuesday’s bail review, Lampkin’s attorney asked Judge Vittoria to reconsider his client’s home detention given all of the violent offenses were dropped, including the attempted murder and assault charges.

The revised charges against Lampkin include firing a gun in Baltimore City, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person and reckless endangerment as well as two counts of having a loaded handgun in a vehicle.

Lampkin’s charges stem from an incident on July 16, 2023, when he and another man went to Club Bellissimo on the 1000 block of East Pratt Street. According to charging documents, a security guard believed the two men had gotten into an argument with a third individual inside the club and left to retrieve a gun from their vehicle. The two men and the security guard began arguing moments later.

When the two men turned back toward the club, Lampkin allegedly fired multiple shots at the security guard who returned fire, injuring the defendant.

“This has been a long ordeal for him,” the defense attorney said. “He is waiting for his day in court.

The Army veteran is a licensed gun owner and had a permit to carry the firearm, defense counsel added. His trial is currently scheduled for May 8; however, defense counsel said the trial will have to be postponed as he has another case scheduled the same day.

Before deferring to the judge and pre-trial services, the prosecutor asked Lampkin to remain on home detention until his upcoming trial.

“It’s only a month until the trial and he has been on [home detention] thus far,” the assistant state’s attorney said. “…This case might, possibly, be resolved before then.”

Pre-trial services informed the court that Lampkin has never failed to appear in court and no probation violations. Judge Vittoria agreed to release the defendant on his own recognizance but under the highest level of pre-trial supervision.