Baltimore City, MD – A brutal attack in Baltimore City has left one man, John Berardi, with permanent damage to his eyesight. Berardi, who has lived in the Federal Hill neighborhood for the past seven years, was viciously assaulted by a group of young individuals while walking home one evening. The incident, which was captured on surveillance camera, resulted in a fractured nose, torn iris, and a hole in his retina for Berardi, leaving him with a gash on his forehead and a swollen black eye.
Despite the familiarity of the neighborhood, Berardi and his fiancée, Chrissy Costill, were shocked by the violent nature of the attack. They were also dismayed by the delayed response time of law enforcement and reports that the same group may have been involved in other criminal activities in the area prior to assaulting Berardi.
In the aftermath of the attack, Berardi is grappling with the decision of whether to leave the city he has called home for so long. The couple is troubled by the escalating juvenile crime problem and the lack of consequences for those responsible for such violent acts.
Baltimore Police spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge maintains that officers arrived at the scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call and the investigation is ongoing. However, details about the suspects and any potential arrests have not been confirmed at this time.
Berardi expresses his frustration at the lack of repercussions for the perpetrators and the sense of insecurity that now pervades his once-beloved city. He acknowledges the possibility of leaving as a means of escaping the pervasive violence but emphasizes the importance of enacting change to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Costill echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the need for systemic change to address the underlying issues contributing to the rise in violent crimes. The couple hopes that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about the pressing need for reform in their community.