Baltimore man attacked over pizza threatens his vision

In Baltimore, a Federal Hill resident named John Berardi faced a brutal assault on Saturday, November 23, 2024, while walking home with dinner. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on South Charles Street when three masked young men approached Berardi, demanding his pizza. After handing over the food, Berardi was struck in the face by one of the assailants with a pole, resulting in a severe injury to his right eye. Bleeding and unable to see properly, Berardi sought help from nearby residents, who called the police and contacted his fiancée. Upon the police's arrival approximately 15 minutes later, Berardi was found with a cut on his forehead and visibly distressed. Doctors later assessed that he sustained a tear in his iris and a potential hole in his eye that could lead to permanent vision loss, requiring surgical intervention. The case brings attention to the troubling trend of juvenile crime in Baltimore, as Berardi expressed confusion over the rationale behind the attack. According to Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates, juvenile crime arrests have surged by 146% as of the year 2024, indicating a worrying increase in criminal activities among youth. Bates noted that one contributing factor might be truancy and emphasized the necessity for increased transparency and accountability within the juvenile justice system to combat this rise. The attack has ignited discussions among residents about the state of safety in the area and the implications of growing juvenile crime rates. Berardi, gaining insights from his ordeal, voiced his shock at the apparent lack of consequences for such actions among juveniles and expressed a desire to understand the motives behind this violent behavior. He finds himself grappling with the unexpected violence within his community and the impact it has had on his life.