The trial began Tuesday for a Baltimore teenager accused of fatally shooting a man who confronted a group of squeegee workers last summer. Defense attorneys argue the teen acted in self-defense against the bat-wielding driver, while prosecutors contend the man was "out-maneuvered and gunned down."

The incident reignited debate about Baltimore's squeegee workers, predominantly young Black individuals from underprivileged backgrounds seeking to earn money. City officials have since prohibited the practice at specific busy intersections and increased efforts to link squeegee workers with legitimate employment opportunities.

Defense lawyer J. Wyndal Gordon framed the case as one of "road rage," asserting that the deceased, 48-year-old Timothy Reynolds, was the aggressor, driven by a long-held animosity towards squeegee workers. They argue Reynolds, an engineer and father of three, initiated the confrontation by exiting his vehicle with a baseball bat and approaching the group.

Conversely, the prosecution highlighted the five gunshots that struck Reynolds, including three to his back. They acknowledge Reynolds was upset but maintain the teen's response was excessive. The specific trigger for the confrontation remains unclear, but testimony indicates Reynolds parked abruptly, retrieved a metal bat from his trunk, and advanced towards the group.

The defendant, who turned 15 the day after the shooting, is being tried as an adult. His lawyers underscored the significant size difference between the teen and Reynolds, who was over 6 feet tall and weighed over 300 pounds. A UPS driver who witnessed the event testified that Reynolds swung the bat at one squeegee worker before another opened fire. No witnesses definitively identified the defendant as the shooter due to him wearing a facemask, though some recalled a pink shirt.

A backpack containing a loaded handgun was later discovered nearby. Another witness reported seeing a young man remove a pink shirt and put on a mask, but could not positively identify the defendant. The teen's lawyers portrayed him as an aspiring engineer or lawyer, highlighting the contentious debate surrounding squeegee work in Baltimore. Some view the workers as resourceful entrepreneurs facing societal challenges, while others consider them a public nuisance and safety risk.

Since the city initiated a campaign to address squeegeeing following the shooting, fewer workers have been observed at downtown intersections, with more reportedly engaging with social services and job programs. The trial is scheduled to resume in Baltimore Circuit Court.