BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Police Department is urgently requesting the public’s help to locate 13-year-old Savanna Reames. Savanna was last seen on April 25, 2024, in the 1000 block of West Lexington Street. She is described as 5’4″ tall, weighing 115 lbs, and was last seen wearing a black hijab. Anyone with information about Savanna’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 443-984-7385 or dial 911.
- Federal judge sends Camden apartment billing class action back to Maryland court
GREENBELT, MD – A federal judge has ruled that a proposed class action lawsuit against Camden Development, Inc. over undisclosed apartment fees must return to Maryland state court, marking the second time the case has been remanded from federal jurisdiction.
In a memorandum opinion issued this week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted plaintiffs John Hall and Monica M. Bahena’s motion to remand their amended class action complaint. The ruling stems from a dispute over Camden’s utility billing and advertising practices at several of its Maryland apartment complexes, including Camden College Park, Camden Fallsgrove, Camden Shady Grove, and Camden Washingtonian.
The case alleges violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act, and state common law. Hall and Bahena, former tenants, contend that Camden used misleading advertising by failing to disclose required utility charges under its Ratio Utility Billing System—known as RUBS—when listing rent prices online. They argue that renters were induced to pay nonrefundable application fees before learning about additional mandatory costs.
Camden, which operates hundreds of apartment developments nationwide, had removed the case to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA), asserting that the lawsuit met federal jurisdictional thresholds. However, the court found that the plaintiffs’ amended complaint did not present sufficient grounds for federal jurisdiction under CAFA and that state court was the proper venue for the dispute.
Court again rejects federal jurisdiction
This is not the first time the case has bounced between courts. The same judge previously sent an earlier version of the complaint back to state court in October 2025, citing a lack of standing. Camden once again removed the lawsuit after the plaintiffs amended their claims, but the judge ruled that federal jurisdiction still did not apply, effectively ending the developer’s second attempt to keep the case in federal court.
According to filings, Hall and Bahena began searching for a new apartment in March 2024, hoping to stay under a monthly budget of $1,800. They found a listing for a Camden College Park unit advertised at $1,729 per month on Zillow and paid a $50 application fee. The couple later alleged that undisclosed utility charges pushed the real cost above what had been advertised.
Key takeaways from the ruling
• The court granted plaintiffs’ motion to remand their class action against Camden Development
• Judge ruled that federal jurisdiction under CAFA did not apply to the amended complaint
• Case centers on alleged failure to disclose RUBS utility fees in Maryland apartment listingsWith the federal court’s latest order, the case will proceed in Maryland state court, where plaintiffs seek to represent other tenants who say they were similarly misled about the true cost of renting from Camden’s apartment communities.
Maryland tenants’ fee disclosure claims to proceed in state court
- Federal judge rules partly in favor of Baltimore City in firefighter discrimination suit
BALTIMORE, MD – A federal judge has issued a split decision in a long-running employment discrimination case brought by Baltimore firefighter-paramedic Daniel Edwards against the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. The case, first filed in May 2024, centers on allegations of racial discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment within the Baltimore City Fire Department.
In a memorandum opinion filed this week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted in part and denied in part the city’s motion for summary judgment, while fully denying Edwards’ own motion. The court’s decision allows portions of the case to proceed toward trial while dismissing other claims as untimely or unsupported by sufficient evidence.
According to court filings, Edwards, who has served with the Baltimore City Fire Department since 2006, first filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May 2013. He alleged that his treatment by coworkers and supervisors at the Smokestack Hardy Fire Station, known as Engine 13, was racially motivated.
Edwards cited a series of incidents, including being told by a colleague that he was “not Engine 13 material,” discovering a soiled dinner plate in his locker with a mocking note, and prior altercations dating back to 2009 and 2010 that he said reflected a pattern of racial hostility. The city denied the claims and argued that the older incidents were procedurally barred because they occurred more than 300 days before Edwards filed his EEOC complaint.
Court limits scope of Edwards’ claims
In its ruling, the court agreed with the city that events from 2009 and 2010 could not be considered because they fell outside the allowable filing period. However, the judge found that Edwards’ allegations from early 2013—including the locker incident and verbal exchanges with coworkers—were sufficiently documented to merit further review under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and related statutes.
Edwards also brought claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act, alleging that Baltimore’s failure to act on his complaints perpetuated a racially hostile work environment. The court’s mixed ruling leaves some of those claims alive for possible trial or settlement discussions.
Key takeaways from the opinion
• Court grants summary judgment in part for the City of Baltimore, denying some discrimination claims as untimely
• Edwards’ allegations from January 2013 may proceed under Title VII review
• Claims from 2009 and 2010 dismissed for exceeding EEOC filing deadlinesThe court emphasized that no further extensions to the case’s briefing schedule would be permitted after multiple delays. Edwards did not file a reply to the city’s final motion before the deadline. The case, docketed as Edwards v. The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City, Maryland (No. 1:24-cv-01350-JMC), remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Case moves forward with limited discrimination claims intact
- Woman shot on Liberty Heights leads to attempted murder arrest
Man charged in Northwest Baltimore shooting arrested after months long search
Baltimore, MD – A man accused of shooting a woman on a West Baltimore street before dawn in December was taken into custody Tuesday, bringing a months long investigation in the Northwest District to a turning point.
Craig Williams, 50, of Baltimore, was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 37 year old woman in the 3500 block of Liberty Heights Avenue, according to the Baltimore Police Department.
The shooting occurred on December 4 at approximately 12:56 a.m., when patrol officers responded to a report of gunfire in the area. When officers arrived, they located the woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Police have not released updated information about her condition.
Investigators later identified Williams as a suspect in the case. On Tuesday, Warrant Apprehension detectives located him in the 800 block of Belgian Avenue and took him into custody without incident.
Williams was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he has been charged with attempted first degree murder. Online court records detailing his initial appearance were not immediately available.
The arrest follows more than two months of investigative work tied to the Liberty Heights Avenue shooting, which prompted a response from Northwest District officers during the early morning hours in December.
The case now moves forward in court as the victim continues to recover from the injuries sustained in the shooting.
A pre dawn shooting on a Baltimore street has now led to an attempted murder charge that will be decided inside a courtroom.
Key Points
- Craig Williams, 50, was arrested Tuesday in connection with a December 4 shooting in Northwest Baltimore
- A 37 year old woman was found with gunshot wounds in the 3500 block of Liberty Heights Avenue
- Williams has been charged with attempted first degree murder and taken to Central Booking
- Baltimore pre dawn gunfire turns storefront into chaos zone
Northern District shooting under investigation after man found with gunshot wound
Baltimore, MD – A shooting early Tuesday led officers to a commercial location on Greenmount Avenue, where they found a 36-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound, according to police.
Northern District patrol officers were called to the 3100 block of Greenmount Avenue at approximately 1:18 a.m. on Feb. 17. Medics transported the victim to a nearby hospital for treatment. No information on his condition has been released.
Detectives are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2455. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
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Key Points- Shooting reported at a commercial business on Greenmount Avenue
- Victim is a 36-year-old man transported for treatment
- Northern District detectives seeking information
- Fatal Baltimore shooting leaves one dead and three injured
Deadly shooting on Liberty Heights Avenue leaves one man dead and three injured
Baltimore, MD – A series of gunfire alerts along Liberty Heights Avenue Tuesday night led officers to multiple shooting victims, including one man found dead nearby, in an incident detectives believe wounded four people in the same attack.
Western District officers responded around 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 after multiple ShotSpotter notifications in the 2400 block of Liberty Heights Avenue. Officers located two males suffering from gunshot wounds upon arrival. While canvassing the area, officers found another male victim deceased in the 2500 block of Liberty Heights Avenue.
A fourth male later appeared in the 3100 block of Tioga Parkway seeking treatment for a gunshot wound.
Three of the victims were transported to area hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Detectives are working to confirm the identities and ages of all four victims.
Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 410-396-2100. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or via the MCS website.
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Key Points- Four males shot in incident tied to Liberty Heights Avenue
- One victim found deceased, three transported with non-life-threatening injuries
- Homicide detectives investigating and seeking information