Officer in Viral Video Found Guilty for Attempting to Run Over Man with Patrol Vehicle

Baltimore (Md.) August 20, 2026 - Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City’s Public Trust & Police Integrity Unit announced the conviction of Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks for Second-Degree Assault, Reckless Driving, and three counts of Misconduct in Office. The Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2027. Chief of the Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit, Steven Trostle, prosecuted this case. 

“While we respect the Court's decision, the behavior demonstrated by Officer Parks seriously threatened the life of the victim and the general public. As in any case, we will now prepare to advocate for an appropriate sentence that reflects the Defendant's serious actions,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “Police officers are entrusted with tremendous authority and an obligation to protect the public by making decisions on the job that prioritize safety. When an officer instead engages in reckless conduct that threatens the lives of our residents, it undermines the critical trust between law enforcement and the community. These convictions, particularly the three counts of Misconduct in Office, will place Officer Parks on our office's Do Not Call List.”

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Officer Robert Parks drove to Wylie Liquors Bar located at 3101 Wylie Avenue, where several individuals were standing on the sidewalk. Officer Parks then exited his vehicle and approached the civilians. He stated, “It’s getting a little hot, guys. I just need you guys to take a lap, you know.” In response, one of the individuals began walking away. As the other individuals walked away, Officer Parks got back into his patrol vehicle and drove a brief distance westbound on Wylie Avenue, stopping along the curb to the right of the first person who had left the liquor store corner. Officer Parks called the individual by name to come over and then got out of his vehicle again. He stated, “Don’t make it worse. I’m going to be straight up with you. I’m going to be straight up with you. You gotta come...” Officer Parks motioned with his index finger to indicate that the individual should walk towards him. The individual said, “No,” and turned and walked away.

As the person walked away, Officer Parks yelled out, “All right, I’m gonna call the dogs and come get you.” As the person was walking away on a paved driveway, Officer Parks returned to his patrol vehicle and stated over the radio, “I have one running, adult male...in the alley.” Officer Parks proceeded to drive his police cruiser into a paved driveway directly at the individual and with increasing speed. The person ran to his left into a grassy area to avoid being struck. Officer Parks steered his police vehicle directly at the man and struck him in the grassy area. After being hit, the man ran away from the patrol car and then towards Wylie Avenue. Officer Parks continued to drive at the man, who then ran onto the sidewalk and between a utility pole and a fence. Officer Parks then drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk and between the utility pole and the fence directly at the man.

The individual then ran towards an alleyway behind residences and businesses. Officer Parks made a U-turn and drove down the same alley, ploughing through a stationary chain-link fence and into the backyard of 3129 Sumter Avenue, nearly striking the man and causing him to jump over a fence to avoid being hit. At that time, Officer Parks’ vehicle became disabled, and he exited and pursued the man on foot. However, he stopped within seconds of initiating the foot chase to return to his patrol car.