Baltimore detective, 37, killed in off-duty assault
An off-duty Baltimore police detective, taking part in the Canton nightlife on the eve of his birthday Saturday, was killed after being struck in the head after an argument, police said. He would have turned 38 today.
Brian Stevenson, an 18-year veteran, was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Bayview not long after he was attacked in the 2800 block of Hudson St. at about 10 p.m. Acting on witness descriptions, police located several suspects and expected to charge them.
Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III told reporters outside the hospital that the argument was "incredibly petty."
"It's an incredible tragedy for the family, for all of us," said Bealefeld, who spoke with Stevenson's family members along with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "The city's losing.. we're losing a fantastic detective who works to make people safe in this city. It's just senseless."
Bealefeld said Stevenson was having dinner with a longtime friend at a Canton club when they got into an argument in a parking lot, reportedly over a parking space. Crime scene technicians were processing evidence in the parking lot of a Mercy Medical Center eye care clinic at 2801 Hudson Street.
Police said the suspect picked up an object - a rock or piece of concrete - and hurled it at Stevenson, striking him in the right temple and causing him to fall to the ground.
Stevenson lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect and other "persons of interest" were located at a downtown club, police said.
"We're confident that the culprit in this case will be charged before the day is over," Bealefeld said.
Stevenson is the first city officer to be killed in an attack since January 9, 2007, when Officer Troy Chesley was fatally shot during a robbery while he was off-duty.
Last month, Officer James Fowler died after losing control of his vehicle while driving to a training program in Pennsylvania.
"This is the second funeral we've had to go through in a month or so," Bealefeld said.
Stevenson was featured in a 1994 Afro article about the first class of officers to graduate under the then-new police commissioner, Thomas Frazier. His mother beamed with pride when discussing her son.
Outside the emergency room entrance at Hopkins Bayview on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, dozens of officers in uniform or street clothes stood solemnly. There was little discussion, and they frequently embraced each other. One officer said many of the others were angry.
As one group walked to their cars to head home, they each shook hands.
"Be safe," they said to each other.
At the scene, neighbor Tricia Zebron said that the neighborhood is typically chaotic on weekends. She said parking spots are hard to come by - her car was parked in the same lot where Stevenson was attacked, though there are "private parking" signs posted.
"It's a circus every weekend here," she said.
There are a number of bars in the area, which is residential. Two of them offer valet service.
The driver of a limo parked outside the nearby Clutch sports lounge said he didn't see or hear the commotion from the attack, but he noted that he was an off-duty Prince George's County police officer. "It hurts," he said of news that a fellow law enforcement officer had been killed.
[Clarification: In an earlier version of this story, police said Stevenson had been stabbed. Police now say that was incorrect.]
Categories: Breaking news, Southeast Baltimore
Comments
this is way so many people don't go in the city, to loose ones life over a parking space is stupid.l
Posted by: Edward R Ostrowski | October 17, 2010 7:20 AM
It is time for rock and concrete control. Anyone who has in their possession, or leaves on their property, any rock or piece of concrete that weighs less than one hundred pounds should be guilty of a felony that should carry a minimum mandatory five year penalty. An emergency session of the Maryland legislature is called for. Rest in peace Detective Stevenson. We all loved you.
Posted by: Gordon Leitch | October 17, 2010 7:31 AM
As they say, it takes two to tango. It will be interesting to watch the real facts of this story emerge, as I'm hopeful that the bars had some kind of surveillance cam.
Of course it is a tragedy.....any death is a tragedy...especially a death over something as petty as a parking spot. So remember that when you choose to involve yourself in a petty dispute: Don't be petty, don't respond to petty people. Either be the bigger person and walk away, or be serious about it from the start. There are no petty fights between strangers. You never know what will happen. Walk away, or if it is important enough to fight about; fight to win. That's it.
Posted by: ob Servation | October 17, 2010 9:19 AM
So the guy will get a two year sentence because it was an accident like when cops kill innocent civilians right?
Posted by: Jacob | October 17, 2010 9:31 AM
Not to speak ill of the dead, but after some of the other stories we've seen in the last months involving off duty police officers and alcohol, I wouldn't jump immediately to the conclusion this detective was an innocent victim.
It's stupid senseless violence for sure, but we don't know who started the fight.
Posted by: Paul | October 17, 2010 10:13 AM
What happened to this off duty Police Officer is a dirty shame, but it all boils down to the lack of respect a lot of the city's residents & visitors seem to have for one another! To kill a man over parking dispute, or whatever other petty reason some lame brain hell bent hoodlum can think of is a poor reflection on our society!
Posted by: Debbie | October 17, 2010 10:36 AM
I'm not sure who I'm more disgusted with, the "man" with anger issues that threw a rock at another human being's head over a petty dispute, or the commenters here. This is not a time to politic against gun control, Gordon, nor is it a time to assign blame to the deceased.
I don't care who starts the fight, the instant you throw a rock at another person's head, you lose all respect, credibility, everything. That is a heinous act performed with complete disregard for another human's life, and should be punished as such.
Rest in peace, Officer Stevenson. May your family find peace and closure.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2010 10:59 AM
I'm a born and bred Baltimore native who spent the first 35 years of my life here. Just moved back after living on the West Coast for a while. I'm suprised at what a toilet Baltimore has become. The crime is out of control, the place is filthy and I don't feel safe anywhere inside of 695 anymore. A Corrupt Mayors office (thanks Ms. Dixon,) out of control off duty Police Officers shooting people in bars, and a public that has apparently little to no interest in taking control back of what was once one of the best cities in the US. This is a tragedy for this Officer and his family, and just another example of how just bad things have gotten here in Baltimore.
Posted by: Keith Smith | October 17, 2010 11:31 AM
I would like to add that Det. Stevenson.... was an outstanding officer,a wonderful person and a great friend.....although many of our officers have made mistake in the past...... brian was a complete professional.....c/o of 90 poet pride and respect........
Posted by: tqueen | October 17, 2010 11:41 AM
Anyone who knows detective Stevenson would know that he hated violence. He has a family, kids who are left without a father. So whatever the dispute, petty or not, it does not give anyone the right to take a father away from his kids, a son away from his mother, a husband away from his wife, and a friend away from the many who love him. These acts of senseless violence has to end before more people die for nothing
Posted by: Bria | October 17, 2010 11:54 AM
Keith,
I don't know what Baltimore you are talking about, but I assure you it was way worse 35 years ago.
Posted by: blarg | October 17, 2010 2:29 PM
@Gordon Leitch-- Are you serious? Do you actually suggest that anyone in possession of a rock or piece of concrete less than 100 lbs be charged with a felony? And do jail time? Why stop there? Why not lock up anyone who pulls off their belt in an argument? And what about those individuals with >very sharp teeth<? Long fingernails? How would anyone every get a house built ever again? Could we also lock up anyone wearing steel toe boots even if they are coming from their jobs? If lawmakers followed your suggestion Baltimore City would need a jail the size of Rhode Island. You are an intellegent guy, please tell us that you were just being facetious, then knock it off!
Posted by: Jim | October 17, 2010 3:47 PM
I personally don't believe that these things happen by accident. It was most likely a case of: Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Posted by: William | October 17, 2010 4:32 PM
Jim,
No I was not serious. Just making fun of those who think that getting guns off the streets is THE answer. BTW, I wear a badge and have done so more than twice as long as Detective Stevonson did. I have been shot twice and was lucky. The other guys were not.
Posted by: Gordon Leitch | October 17, 2010 8:57 PM
Jim,
Ignore Gordon- he's just a d-bag with nothing better to do than to politicize a tragedy.
Posted by: Rusty Shackleford | October 18, 2010 1:18 AM
Condolences to the family. Having said that, it is an inalienable right to defend oneself from the predatory State. I don't hear any apology when a State-parasite shoots a dog, an old lady or baby in the back, but frankly, I don't want one. Have a nice day.
Posted by: public servant | October 18, 2010 4:51 AM
"Anyone who knows detective Stevenson would know that he hated violence". WHAT??? A member of the official violence dispensing arm of the terrorist organization called civil government "hated violence"? You mean that he hated it happening to HIM or his type. Only slaves would talk like that. People that love God and love ONLY Him do not bow to earthly government even to 'make nice' to dead people. Rusty has the right idea, Jim, too. Only God answers prayer. False gods give false "hope (and change)". Those that rely on B.S. are contributing to the problem.
Posted by: John Boanerges Redman | October 18, 2010 10:34 AM
This is a human being with a real family that is hurting. Try to remember that when you are posting thoughtless and hurtful comments, even if the real life people directly affected by this very real tragedy don't know who you are.
Posted by: A.P. | October 19, 2010 11:20 AM