( Image: Baltimore Police Department)
A Ravens fan who was allegedly filmed attacking two rival Washington Commanders supporters in a shocking viral video has surrendered to police. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old John Callis, became the subject of a manhunt following the brutal incident that unfolded on the streets of Baltimore after the Ravens secured a 30-23 victory over the Commanders in the NFL last Sunday.
The alarming footage shows Callis, dressed in a purple Lamar Jackson jersey, launching a surprise attack on the unsuspecting fans. In the clip, he is seen first attempting to kick one victim before delivering a powerful right punch that sends the individual crashing to the ground. The assault escalates as Callis then turns his aggression toward a second fan, shoving him against a barrier and throwing him onto the pavement. As the chaos unfolds, the camera captures Callis posing triumphantly and declaring, “I don’t ******* lose.”
Following the release of the video, which quickly gained traction on social media, an arrest warrant was issued for Callis. Authorities confirmed on Monday afternoon that he had turned himself in and was subsequently arrested. A social media update from Baltimore Police featured a photo of Callis in a blue shirt and navy trousers, handcuffed and being escorted from the precinct.
According to charging documents reviewed by local station WBAL-TV, the confrontation began at approximately 9:42 p.m. near Cross Street Market, where Callis allegedly “began aggressively grabbing and punching victim #1 in his facial area.” The incident escalated just three minutes later when two of the victims encountered Callis again outside Watershed restaurant. They had returned to the area in search of a misplaced mobile phone when they unexpectedly came across him once more. The viral video captures an off-camera voice remarking, “We got a straggler.”
The charging documents detail a violent second encounter, with Callis reportedly seen “forcefully punching victim #1 on the left side of his head,” causing the victim to lose consciousness and fall against a nearby parked vehicle, hitting his head on the car’s left side door.
After being identified through the circulated footage, Callis was fired from his job. His former employer, Maury Donnelly & Parr, released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, asserting their “zero-tolerance policy for violence and aggressive behavior” and confirming that Callis was no longer employed with the firm.
Callis is now facing serious legal repercussions, with charges that include first-degree aggravated assault and three counts of second-degree assault. Represented by lawyer Brian Thompson from Silverman Thompson, Callis faces a challenging legal battle. In Maryland, a conviction for first-degree assault, classified as a felony, could lead to a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, according to the Washington Post.
As the case unfolds, it raises questions about the implications of fan violence in sports and the responsibilities of individuals to ensure that their passion for their teams does not turn into aggression against others. The shocking nature of this incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased awareness and action to prevent violence in sporting environments.
