Juan Hill, a 32-year-old Hispanic/Latino man, was fatally shot in March 2023 after he stepped in to stop a physical altercation in Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood.
The incident unfolded on the afternoon of March 12 outside the Harlem Mini Mart in the 1100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. According to court records, a verbal argument began between 21-year-old Kishawn Brooks, the mother of his child, and his current girlfriend.
The dispute escalated when Brooks allegedly began to punch and slap the mother of his child. Hill, who was nearby, intervened by approaching Brooks from behind and placing him in a headlock, pulling him to the ground.
As the two men struggled, Brooks reportedly drew a handgun. Another man, identified only as "Jaquan," then arrived with his own firearm to assist Brooks. Brooks was able to break free from Hill's grasp, and both he and Jaquan allegedly pointed their weapons at Hill. Brooks then fired, shooting Hill. In the ensuing chaos, Brooks' 24-year-old girlfriend was also shot in the head.
Brooks fled the scene in a blue Hyundai Sonata. Emergency responders transported Hill to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the chest. The female victim was also hospitalized in critical condition. The investigation quickly led police to identify Brooks as the suspect. On March 28, 2023, members of a Warrant Apprehension Task Force arrested him during a traffic stop in the 5200 block of Reisterstown Road.
Brooks was charged with first-degree murder for Juan Hill's death and reckless endangerment for the shooting of his girlfriend. He was initially held without bail. In court, Kishawn Brooks pleaded guilty in connection with the shootings. During the hearing, he asked the judge for a lighter sentence, stating, “I know the whole situation looks bad, but the reason I had the weapon is because I’ve been shot multiple times.” While expressing understanding of his situation, the judge responded that “There is no excuse for having the weapon.” The case was resolved with his guilty plea in October 2023.
