Incident at Leith Walk Elementary Middle School
In a dramatic turn of events, a Baltimore father, Troy Spencer, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for brandishing a loaded gun at his son’s basketball coach during a game. The incident took place in March at Leith Walk Elementary Middle School in North Baltimore.
Charges and Plea
Troy Spencer, 50, pleaded guilty in June to charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in a school zone. The confrontation, which began as a verbal dispute over Spencer’s belief that his son was not receiving sufficient playing time, quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
The escalation
Prosecutors detailed how Spencer pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at the coach. The firearm was subsequently wrestled away from Spencer, who then fled the scene in his car. The incident was particularly alarming as it unfolded in front of numerous children and their families.
US District Judge Julie Rubin expressed strong condemnation of Spencer’s actions. “The fact that you would go to your boy’s elementary school with a loaded semi-automatic weapon is just terrifying,” Rubin told the court.
Spencer’s criminal history
Court documents revealed that Spencer had previously served eight years in prison following a 1997 conviction for second-degree murder. Assistant US Attorney Jacob Gordin highlighted the gravity of the recent incident, stating, “Troy Spencer pulled a gun in the middle of an elementary school gymnasium in front of dozens of children and their families.” The firearm was found to be loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.
Defense and mental health concerns
Spencer’s attorney, Jennifer Smith, argued that her client was not in a reasonable state of mind at the time of the incident. She cited that Spencer was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being shot multiple times a few months prior, as reported by the Baltimore Sun. “He was not a reasonable person that day,” Smith told the court.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Rubin recommended that Spencer receive mental health treatment as part of his sentencing, acknowledging the defense’s claims of his mental health struggles.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of firearms in sensitive environments and underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues in conjunction with criminal behavior.