BALTIMORE — A tragic incident has resulted in the death of a Department of Transportation employee, who was assaulted by a woman and her teenage daughter over a parking dispute.
Gregory Turnipseed, who dedicated 14 years to the department, passed away approximately a month after suffering severe injuries from the attack.
The individual charged in connection with the assault is 49-year-old Kiannah Bonaparte, who faces multiple charges, including first- and second-degree assault.
The altercation occurred on October 17, as Turnipseed was walking in the 500 block of St. Paul Street. He noticed a vehicle waiting for another car to vacate a parking spot.
When Turnipseed approached the parked vehicle, a 15-year-old passenger exited and began striking him in the face.
In an attempt to subdue the girl, Turnipseed was then attacked from behind by the driver, who is believed to be Bonaparte, the girl’s mother. This resulted in Turnipseed falling to the ground.
According to police reports, Bonaparte allegedly kicked him in the head several times during the incident.
Following the assault, the pair fled the scene, and Turnipseed was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities later notified Turnipseed’s daughter about her father’s condition, informing her that he was experiencing memory loss and slurred speech as a result of the injuries sustained. He required surgery to address bleeding in his brain.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the vehicle involved was registered to Bonaparte. About three weeks post-incident, Turnipseed was able to identify her through a photo lineup.
In the aftermath of Turnipseed’s passing, officials issued a statement expressing their condolences and reflecting on his dedication. A joint statement from Mayor Brandon Scott, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, Police Commissioner Richard Worley, and Department of Transportation Director Veronica McBeth highlighted Turnipseed’s service.
“Mr. Turnipseed was a model public servant, having worked for BCDOT for 14 years in the Traffic Division. His contributions to Baltimore were marked by dignity and integrity, and we will always be grateful for his unwavering commitment to our city. We will continue to support his family and loved ones in this challenging time,” the statement read.
Additionally, Antoinette Ryan-Johnson, President of the City Union of Baltimore, expressed sorrow over Turnipseed’s death:
“We are devastated by the news of our colleague Gregory Turnipseed’s passing. He exemplified what it means to be a true public servant and was a dedicated employee committed to the residents of Baltimore City. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this heartbreaking moment.
For far too long, we at the City Union of Baltimore have maintained that no city employee should feel unsafe while at work; this is an unacceptable reality that must change. The tragic loss of Gregory Turnipseed will only strengthen our determination for reform. We urge the City of Baltimore to initiate a comprehensive and transparent investigation to uncover how this assault, and his resulting death, could occur while serving the city he cherished.”
