Senseless tragedy: family and neighbors react to brutal beating over parking dispute

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The death of 71-year-old Gregory Turnipseed, a Baltimore city transportation worker, has left the local community in shock, particularly after learning that one of the suspects in his fatal beating is believed to be a 15-year-old girl.

The brutal attack occurred last month on St. Paul Street near Centre Street over a parking dispute, and Turnipseed succumbed to his injuries the day before Thanksgiving.

Turnipseed’s daughter, Lacheryl Turnipseed-White, expressed her grief Friday night while making funeral arrangements. “Like I’ve been robbed of my father… unnecessarily when they could have just drove off and went their way… and let him go his way,” she said.

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Baltimore police have arrested Kiannah Bonaparte in connection with the incident, and charging documents indicate that the 15-year-old suspect is believed to be Bonaparte’s daughter.

Turnipseed-White reacted to the involvement of a juvenile, saying, “I’m still in shock and just amazed that these juveniles just running the streets and doing what they want and not being held accountable.”

Residents of the neighborhood, like Jean Paul Bile, shared their disbelief. “I had no idea this even happened. And this is really a safe place. For something like that to just happen, it’s just really fascinating and it’s really concerning for people that live in this area,” Bile said.

Another resident, Jeremy Mattanah, shared his perspective on the involvement of a young suspect. “I’ve lived in the city my whole life, I’ve grown up here. So, I hear a lot of crazy stories all the time. So, it’s not necessarily super surprising to me or anything like that,” he said.

Turnipseed-White also reflected on the senselessness of the attack, saying, “That (the 15-year-old girl) even wanted to assault an elder or someone that wasn’t even doing anything to her. Just minding his own business basically. All he was truly doing was his job.”