Opening statements were presented on July 22, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H Jones on the 1800 block of Orleans street shooting case.
The defendant Richard Holland Jr, 34, is charged with attempted first and second degree murder, first degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment and handgun on person
According to charging documents, on October 27, 2025, at approximately 2:05 a.m., officers responded to Johns Hopkins Hospital for a report of a walk-in shooting victim.
Upon arrival, officers observed a black 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe, parked outside the emergency room with a bullet hole through the rear window. Officers spoke with an eyewitness in their 30s, who advised that he and his friend, a black male in their 30s–the victim–were in the unit block of East North Ave. purchasing items from a liquor store. The witness stated that the victim became involved in a verbal altercation with an unidentified male, who then produced a firearm and shot him.
The witness stated that they heard multiple gunshots and attempted to drive away but the victim told the witness he could not feel his legs. The witness then switched seats with the victim and drove him to the hospital for treatment. There, officers observed the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper left shoulder near the neck.
Recovered CCTV footage from the area of East North Avenue depicts the suspect, described as wearing all gray clothing, a black vest, and multi-colored shoes, speaking with the victim prior to the shooting.
The video shows the suspect leaning on the driver’s side of the 2008 Nissan Altima and reaching inside the vehicle. The Altima then attempts to flee while the suspect holds onto the vehicle before letting go. The Altima crashes into a median, and the suspect is seen stepping back in front of the vehicle and extending their arms in a shooting motion and firing a weapon.
The suspect then flees the area on foot into a nearby alley. CCTV footage and still images were presented, and suspect was said to be positively identified as Richard Milton Holland Jr.
The prosecution characterized the incident as ‘Violence, Senseless Violence’. He further stressed to the jury that the defendant was the one who allegedly fired the weapon citing recovered surveillance footage.
Defense attorney Marci Johnson said the case is not as clear cut and jurors watching the video evidence could come to a different conclusion.
Additionally, she said something changed when the alleged shooter put his head in the victim’s car leading to a skirmish and punching the driver in the face before running away. She also claimed the passengers in the car had a gun and drugs.
Trial set to continue on July 23.
