A 24-year-old Ravens fan has been indicted for assaulting three Washington Commanders fans after a game on October 13 in Baltimore.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced the indictment on X, identifying the defendant as John Callis. Bates noted that the assault, which was captured on video, had been widely viewed by the public. The video showed Callis, wearing a Lamar Jackson jersey, attacking the victims in Baltimore’s Federal Hill neighborhood following the Ravens vs. Commanders “Battle of the Beltway.”
Statement from State's Attorney @ivanjbates pic.twitter.com/KRrKfBh6sM
— Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office (@BaltimoreSAO) October 25, 2024
According to police, Callis, a Sarasota, Florida resident, was involved in two separate assaults on the same night. After the initial incident, two victims fled but returned to search for their missing phones, only to be assaulted again. A third victim, who recognized his friends, intervened and was also attacked. Two of the victims suffered minor injuries, while the third sustained a concussion and memory loss.
A warrant was issued for Callis shortly after the assault, and he turned himself in four days later. He now faces one count of first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault.
Callis’ lawyer, Brian Thompson, revealed that his client has struggled with substance abuse and was in the midst of a “cocaine and alcohol binge” at the time of the incident. Thompson argued for Callis’ release from pretrial detention, citing his immediate cooperation with law enforcement and surrender to authorities.
Despite this, District Judge LaTina Burse Greene denied bail, calling the assault “unprovoked.” She did, however, suggest that she might reconsider if both the defense and prosecution proposed a plan for Callis to enter an inpatient treatment program with 24/7 home detention.
