Baltimore officer captured in viral video stands trial for attempted murder

Antrell Smith remembers the roar of the engine.

On Oct. 28, 2025, Smith was outside Wylie Liquors Bar in Northwest Baltimore with a group of people when Baltimore Police Officer Robert Parks pulled up and told them to move along.

They complied. But Parks started following Smith.

“Hey, Antrell. Come here,” Parks told Smith. “Just don’t make it worse.”

Smith started to walk away. That’s when Parks turned down an alley, accelerated and drove directly at Smith, who ran into a field.

“I was struck by the vehicle,” Smith testified in court Tuesday, “trying to get away.”

Parks, 32, who’s been with the department for more than six years, is standing trial this week in Baltimore Circuit Court on charges of attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless driving. A bystander recorded the encounter, which went viral on TikTok.

Circuit Judge Dana Middleton is presiding over the bench trial. Before testimony began, Parks rejected a plea offer that called for no jail time.

In his opening statement, Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Trostle said Parks escalated the interaction and almost cost Smith his life.

“He decided, ‘I’m going to get my man,’” Trostle said. “‘I’m going to drive crazy. I’m going to put everybody in danger.’”

Parks continued to pursue Smith before eventually losing control of his patrol vehicle and crashing into a fence.

No reasonable police officer, Trostle said, would have acted in a similar way.

But Chaz Ball, Parks’ attorney, said his client was “attempting to bring a wanted criminal into custody.” Smith, Ball said, had a warrant for failing to appear in court.

Ball said Smith is “not Usain Bolt,” referring to the retired eight-time Olympic gold medalist from Jamaica. Parks could have run Smith down if that had been his plan, Ball said.

“There was no intent or motive,” Ball said in his opening statement. “It’s just somebody trying to do his job.”

Parks is free on home detention. He remains suspended without pay.

Smith, 46, of Northwest Baltimore, testified that the patrol vehicle hit his left knee. As Parks continued to chase him, Smith testified, “I just kept running. I was scared for my life.” He said he was unaware that he had a bench warrant.

On cross-examination, Smith testified that he did not know that Parks was trying to arrest him. Later, Smith said, he flagged down a stranger who gave him a ride to his father’s home.

Before that day, Smith said, he did not have any negative interactions with Parks.

In fact, Smith said, the two had never met.

This story will be updated.