A Safe Streets violence interrupter is now facing a federal gun charge after he was arrested in connection to a shooting in Park Heights in June.
Antoine Burton, 51, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Baltimore City District Court. However, state prosecutors nolle prossed the charges. He was facing attempted first degree murder, along with several other charges.
According to a federal affidavit, investigators with the ATF indicated there is “probable cause to believe” Burton had a firearm when he was prohibited from possessing one due to previous criminal charges.
The shooting took place June 7 outside a Sunoco gas station in the 4400 block of Park Heights Avenue.
Investigators with the Baltimore Police Department say surveillance footage from the gas station captured the shooting. The video, obtained by FOX45 News, appears to show a man walking out of the store before the suspected gunman follows behind, pulls out a handgun and fires multiple shots. The footage then appears to show the shooter turning around and walking back into the store.
At the time of the shooting, Burton was employed as a violence interrupter with Safe Streets at the Belvedere location.
Burton typically works Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, or MONSE, and was not on duty at the time of the Sunday incident.
According to police, detectives later conducted surveillance at Burton’s apartment building; charging documents allege officers observed Burton, detained him, and recovered a 9mm handgun loaded with six live rounds.
Investigators say Burton waived his Miranda rights and admitted he had an altercation with the victim before the shooting. Police further allege Burton told detectives that the firearm recovered during his arrest was the same gun used in the incident and that he discarded the clothing he wore during the shooting after returning home. Investigators later executed a search warrant and recovered clothing matching what was seen in surveillance footage, according to court records.
Authorities also allege the handgun recovered from Burton had been reported stolen through the Martinsburg Police Department in West Virginia. Court documents state the firearm’s serial number was entered into a law enforcement database and returned as stolen.
Burton’s criminal history stretches back more than three decades. Court records cite prior convictions that include robbery with a dangerous and deadly weapon, escape from confinement, drug distribution-related offenses, attempted second-degree murder, and first-degree assault. Prosecutors also referenced Burton’s federal criminal history during the bail hearing.
Federal court records reviewed by FOX45 show Burton previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm despite being prohibited from doing so because of prior felony convictions. In 2020, he was federally indicted on charges involving a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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