Shooting Case Dismissed Against 52-Year-Old Man

By Andrew Michaels - February 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A 52-year-old man accused of firing several gunshots inside his home had his case dismissed on Feb. 10 when defense counsel argued that Baltimore Police “unlawfully” searched the defendant’s residence.

According to court documents, police were called to the home of Brian Paylor on the 1400 block of E. Lanvale Street for a report of a burglary shortly before midnight on Sept. 9, 2022. When officers arrived, Paylor was “visually distraught, pacing, and sweating,” documents state, and said he heard someone in the basement. The defendant also informed police that he was under the influence of marijuana and crack.

Officers found several bullet holes in the wall and stairs by the basement, and Paylor later told them that he had a handgun in his couch, which police recovered.

Further investigation revealed that Paylor was dating a woman who he said was sending men to his home and “that people were out to get him,” documents state. The defendant fired several gunshots into the basement when he heard sounds coming from downstairs.

During Friday’s proceedings, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays granted defense attorney Latoya Francis-Williams’ motions to suppress unlawfully obtained statements and unlawful warrantless searches in Paylor’s case. The case was dismissed a short time later.