Annapolis Mass Shooting Was Hate Crime, Families Allege At Vigil

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A gun violence vigil drew hundreds of mourners to Annapolis on Sunday in remembrance of the recent mass shooting.

The victims' families said they want authorities to press hate crime charges against the suspect, 43-year-old Charles Robert Smith of Annapolis.

Smith, a white Army veteran, is accused of fatally shooting these Hispanic victims and hospitalizing three others during a June 11 birthday party parking dispute:

• Nicolas Mireles, 55, of Odenton
• Mario Antonio Mireles Ruiz, 27, of Annapolis
• Christian Marlon Segovia, 25, of Annapolis

The vigil was held on Father's Day in honor of the three dads killed. The crowd gathered outside the Maryland State House and marched to City Dock.

"My little boy was taken away from me because of our races and this is not fair," said Mario Mireles' mother, Harcinia, according to WBAL and DC News Now.

Smith's attorney said the suspect is on five different post-traumatic stress disorder medications and hadn't taken the medicine for several days before the shooting, WBAL also reported.

Charging documents said Smith's mother called the City of Annapolis to report a car blocking her driveway in the 1000 block of Paddington Place.

The records say that prompted an argument between Mario Mireles and Smith's mother, eventually leading to a physical fight between Mario Mireles and Smith.

Smith is accused of shooting Mario Mireles multiple times and shooting Segovia before opening fire on the crowd coming to help them.

Ethel Wirth attended this Sunday's vigil. She runs the Facebook group Se Fuerte Annapolis, which connects Hispanic and Latino residents with resources.

"The fact that he shot at him [Mario] and then come back at him to do it again … it’s a hate crime," Wirth said, according to The Baltimore Banner. "We are scared our kids will be the next Mario Mireles."

Smith, who is being held without bond, is not currently charged with any hate crimes.

Patch asked the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's office if it is considering charging Smith with a hate crime. Spokesperson Heather Stone said she is unable to comment because the case is open.

"This senseless act of violence was racially-motivated," said Segovia's brother, Julian, according to The Banner.

Patch also asked Smith's attorney, Mark Howes, for his thoughts on the hate crime allegations.

Howes declined to comment, saying he is "heavily invested" in his investigation.

Recent reports said the Smith and Mireles families have had several run-ins over the years.

The Banner reported that Smith's mother filed a peace order against Mario Mireles in 2016, claiming he nearly backed into her car and also threw rocks at street signs.

Online court records confirm that a peace order was filed against Mario Mireles that year. Patch is working to independently verify whether Smith's mother filed that order.

Smith is charged with:

• Three counts of second-degree murder
• Three counts of attempted second-degree murder
• Three counts of first-degree assault
• One count of the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence

Smith could be sentenced to 305 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Related:

• Annapolis Mass Shooting Suspect Is Army Veteran With PTSD: Reports
• Annapolis Mass Shooting: 3 Victims, Suspected Gunman Identified