He was just getting home Thursday night when he said he was attacked by a group of young people. He had a gun in his face, a scuffle unfolded, and before he knew it, the young people kicked him, and he was knocked out.

That’s what happened to a 66-year-old man named Bernie in a neighborhood near Patterson Park in Baltimore City. His left eye is swollen, black and blue, and he has seven stiches near his eyebrow. Bernie didn’t want his last name shared publicly but recalled the horrific attack.

“I actually didn’t hear anything. They were very, very quiet. Almost like they snuck up on me. But I could feel their presence. They didn’t say anything but when I saw them, they had ski masks on,” Bernie recalled.

In my mind, I knew what was coming next, so I started to run, and they started to chase me. As I was running, I was yelling ‘help, help I’m being robbed.’ He pulled the gun out and he stuck the gun in my face, and I said, ‘what do you want?’ He said, ‘I want everything’, Bernie said.

He said there were five suspects who attacked him. Baltimore Police were able to track down and arrest two of them: Montaz Bailey, 18, and an unidentified 15-year-old male. The 15-year-old suspect was taken to the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center “to request a review for detention,” according to BPD, but he was released to a guardian. The 15-year-old and Bailey both have prior arrests, according to BPD.

After reviewing the video and evidence, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates authorized an attempted first-degree murder charge to be filed against Bailey.

“I think I was a prime target for them. They waited for a prime opportunity to pounce. They get apprehended and within hours, they’re back on the street again,” Bernie said. “They laugh and think it’s a joke. To be honest with you, I can’t blame them for laughing. If I was in their shoes, I’d be laughing about it too. If you can commit a crime and not be held accountable, there’s no consequences, what’s to stop you?”

Baltimore Police said a handgun was recovered from the two teens.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley called the incident “truly horrific” and said there needs to be more accountability for young people who break the law.

“These incidents undermine the work of the BPD and erode the trust our communities place in us to keep them safe,” Commissioner Worley said via statement.

Mayor Brandon Scott also issued a statement, echoing the sentiment from Commissioner Worley. Mayor Scott said he’s frustrated with the apparent pattern of “repeatedly needing to arrest the same young people” who have yet to be held accountable from other parts of the justice system. The larger system continues to fail young people, Mayor Scott said, and something needs to change.

But what it will be that changes remains the unanswered question. During the legislative session earlier in 2024, lawmakers spent most of the 90-day session debating juvenile justice laws. Police, parents and prosecutors urged lawmakers to make changes to juvenile justice laws, specifically how the state handles the youngest offenders.

Beginning Nov. 1, lawmakers expanded what charges young people between the ages of 10 and 12 years old can face. There will be a court-mandated Child in Need of Supervision petition filed when guns are involved in the crimes, and when the young people are accused of stealing a car for the first time.

However, the frustration persists. Following the latest assault in the Butchers Hill neighborhood, Senate President Bill Ferguson and the other delegates in District 46, issued a statement raising questions about why the 15-year-old was released to a guardian.

“The situation is all too reminiscent of what occurred last year just off of Patterson Park Ave., which is part of what prompted the General Assembly to pass reforms to our juvenile justice system earlier this year,” the statement read.

The statement said the group of lawmakers — which includes Delegates Luke Clippinger, Robbyn Lewis and Mark Edelson, in addition to Sen. Ferguson — are in touch with Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi for more information “to better understand how something like this could happen again.” The lawmakers also said they have been in touch with Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates to “determine appropriate next steps.”

It’s unclear what steps lawmakers will take during the next legislative session, but Bernie said he hope’s they do something.

“There is no accountability. They keep letting them go and letting them go and this is what you’re going to have,” he said. “You guys really start thinking about changing some laws. And you better do it fast before it hits your house next.”