A peaceful Sunday in a Cockeysville neighborhood became uncomfortable after a Timonium man allegedly drew a gun on a family during a heated argument, leaving people startled and talking. Witnesses informed police that the man pulled out a semiautomatic handgun, cranked the slide, pointed it at the victims, and then drove away. Neighbors took images of the car as it drove away, and investigators used the license plate to track down and arrest the culprit shortly after, according to police.
According to WBAL, Baltimore County officers arrested 39-year-old Imtiaz Sami shortly before 6 p.m. in the 2400 block of Burlwood Road and charged him with assault and a gun offense. The outlet reports that witnesses provided a photo of the plate that led investigators to Sami’s address, where officers took him into custody without incident. He’s being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center. According to the documents published by the station, Sami roamed the neighborhood in his car hunting for the victims and continued the altercation despite being repeatedly instructed to leave.
According to the records acquired by WBAL, Sami told residents: “I just want you to know, the kid living on the corner, he’s a piece of (expletive).” Victims told police he then reached down to the floor of his car, pulled out a semiautomatic handgun, pulled back the slide so it made an audible click, and pointed the weapon at them. One person claimed he was ready to be shot and raised his hands just as Sami sped away.
After identifying the vehicle, police executed a search warrant at the home tied to the car and recovered 15 firearms and several types of ammunition, according to the local report. Investigators said the firearms cache, combined with the license plate images and witness accounts, are critical components of their case. Authorities have not revealed how the weapons were housed or whether any of them fell into restricted categories under Maryland law.
Neighbors told officers the confrontation grew out of a single-vehicle crash earlier this month that killed two teens in the Phoenix area of Baltimore County. According to WBAL-TV, a survivor of the collision had just come home when the disagreement broke out. The crash, which occurred on May 1 near Poplar Hill and Merrymans Mill roads, has set the community on edge and sparked internet criticism, which police say contributed to the conflict. A community GoFundMe page set up for one of the teens has received attention from local media as neighbors rally around mourning families.
According to the charging documents cited by local reporting and police, Sami faces counts that include first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and use of a firearm in a violent crime. The case is moving through Baltimore County’s criminal court system, although officials have not yet released an arraignment date or additional filings from prosecutors. Police are requesting anyone with knowledge to contact Baltimore County Police via the department’s public tips page.
Neighbors said reporters they were startled to learn that the alleged gunman’s children attend the same school as the victims’ children, adding to an already tense situation. Residents said the experience has heightened their worry about internet debates and speculation spilling over into in-person confrontations. Police said the investigation is still ongoing and encourage anyone with images, video, or other information to contact detectives handling the case.
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