The trial of Craig Williams, 56, began before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer on Dec. 3, with attorneys delivering opening statements related to a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred inside a Pigtown neighborhood home.
Williams is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, and multiple related firearm violations for allegedly shooting his 53-year-old brother-in-law, who was also his housemate, during an argument. The incident occurred Nov. 25, 2024 on the 1100 block of Scott Street, shortly before Thanksgiving day.
According to the prosecution, Williams and his brother-in-law had known each other for over a decade prior to the shooting. Police were notified when the victim’s fianceé called 911. Responding officers found him suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The prosecution told the court that disagreements in the home were common and that Williams accused the victim of entering his room before allegedly shooting him in the shoulder, foot and lower body. Jurors were told that police later recovered matching shell casings allegedly in Williams’ bedroom, and the prosecution urged them to find Williams guilty on all counts.
Defense attorney Michael Tomko emphasized Williams pleaded not guilty to all charges and argued the evidence was insufficient to clearly identify the shooter. He told jurors that neither witnesses nor the victim saw shots being fired, and that the basement was too small and dark to see who was holding a firearm. Tomko added that the victim simply believed Williams shot him.
Later in the hearing, the court heard from a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer, who testified that he responded to the home and entered through an unlocked door after hearing a woman screaming from the basement. Body-worn camera footage was played in court, capturing the victim and his fianceé describing the shooting and stating that the shooter had dreadlocks and fired from the top of the basement steps.
During cross-examination, the officer admitted he was unable to gather substantial information from potential witnesses or check for outdoor security cameras. He confirmed he was unaware of the shooter’s location when he arrived at the scene and noted that the home was cluttered, the stairway was narrow and dark, and the victim’s fianceé was in a partially closed bedroom. Though he did not search the basement for weapons, he noted the recovered shell casings were found at the top of the steps and appeared consistent with having been fired from both a rifle and a handgun.
The victim also testified, saying that he lived in the home with his brother, his fianceé, and Williams for about two years. He said he met Williams through family connections and that the defendant’s room was located on the residence’s second floor. He stated he did not speak to Willams earlier that day, but confirmed he later saw Williams standing at the top of the steps.
He further testified that Williams accused him of entering his room.
“Motherfu*cker, you’ve been in my room again,” Williams reportedly said. He then reportedly said,, “I’m tired of this sh*t,” before opening fire at the victim. He claimed the argument lasted around 10 minutes, and said he recognized Williams by his voice and shadow.
During cross-examination, the victim confirmed that the home’s residents shared the second-floor bathroom, and that the bedrooms were padlocked due to concerns about property theft. He also observed that the home was cluttered and that Williams lived there first. The day of the incident, the victim recalled reentering the house with his fianceé and seeing Williams’ dog run down the steps.
The victim said he changed out of his work clothes, warmed up food, and then went down to the basement. While there, he said he later heard Williams enter the home through the front door. Williams then addressed the victim three times. After the third instant, the victim said Williams shot him. The victim testified that he did not go upstairs that night, and that Williams bedroom door had been off its latches for several days.
He confirmed prior disagreements, including an incident three weeks earlier in which Williams accused him and his brother of entering his room. Tomko affirmed that his client never came down the steps during the shooting.
The trial is scheduled to continue Dec 4.
