BALTIMORE — A motorist wielding a baseball bat was fatally shot after a confrontation with a group of squeegee workers in downtown Baltimore, authorities said Thursday.
The confrontation occurred at about 4:30 p.m. EDT, The Baltimore Sun reported. The 48-year-old driver was shot when he emerged from his vehicle with the bat and walked toward the workers, according to the newspaper.
Update 11:37 a.m. EDT July 9: Police identified the man who was fatally shot as Timothy Reynolds, 48, of Baltimore, WBFF-TV reported.
Reynolds, who had a wife and three children, lived in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore, according to the television station. The family asked for privacy on Friday.
48-year-old Timothy Reynolds was killed after he tried to attach a group of squeegee kids with a bat. https://t.co/26eIikwIHW
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) July 9, 2022
Original report: The man had a “heated interaction” with the workers at a downtown intersection, Batimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison told WJZ-TV. The motorist drove through the intersection and parked his car. He pulled out a baseball bat and walked toward the group, according to the television station.
A confrontation between a squeegee worker and a middle aged man at the corner of E. Conway Street and Light Street in downtown Baltimore ended with a baseball bat drawn and shots fired. https://t.co/QCMc8O2yPy
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) July 7, 2022
Harrison said the man swung the bat at “one or more” of the squeegee workers.
“In return, one of the squeegee workers pulled out a gun and fired,” Harrison told reporters during a news conference.
The group of squeegee workers fled the scene before police officers arrived, according to The Sun. The victim’s car was left at the scene and the radio was still playing, WBFF-TV reported.
The motorist was taken to an area hospital, where he died, according to the television station.
It is unclear if any of the squeegee workers were hit by the baseball bat, Harrison told reporters. It is also unclear which worker fired the shot that killed the motorist.
“It very well could be another person who was in this group who pulled out the gun and fired, striking this victim,” Harrison said.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the shooting is a “sad reminder” that confrontations often escalate.
“I want to be very clear -- if you are on the streets of Baltimore and endanger the safety of others or turn to violence to solve your problems, we will hold you accountable,” Scott said.
The investigation is ongoing, Harrison said.
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