The owner of a Baltimore carryout restaurant found himself in a fight for his life after investigators said two men attempted to rob his business at gunpoint.
The U.S. Marshals Service has joined the search for one suspect who has been identified in the case.
Christopher Brigerman, 44, of Baltimore, is wanted on 19 criminal counts, including first- and second-degree attempted murder and armed robbery.
Brigerman and a second unidentified suspect are accused of attempting to rob the American Wings and Pizza at 2400 St. Paul St. in East Baltimore on Jan. 1.
According to the statement of charges found in court documents, Brigerman shot the owner of the carryout during a struggle over his gun. The victim was reportedly shot twice in the head and once in the arm. Investigators detailed that he had already gone to the hospital before police arrived on the scene.
Dispatch audio obtained by FOX45 News indicated that when officers responded to the robbery in progress, they found a trail of blood, and employees still on the scene directed them to a mask they said the gunman had left behind after fleeing.
Four .22-caliber spent cartridges were also found at the scene, according to court documents.
Investigators said one suspect’s mask came off during the struggle over the gun. It would end up being a critical mistake for the gunman, investigators noted.
According to the statement of charges found in court documents, officers obtained surveillance footage that captured the two suspects after the crime, including a white male without the mask.
Investigators said they were able to use “departmental databases,” which led to possible identification of Brigerman.
At the hospital, investigators detailed that officers showed the owner the surveillance footage and that he confirmed they were the two men who had attempted to rob his carryout. A warrant was issued for Brigerman’s arrest.
Court records show that two weeks before this attempted armed robbery, a warrant was issued for Brigerman’s arrest alleging that he violated the terms of his probation. Records show that Brigerman was on probation following a conviction for a 2018 attempted armed robbery.
Records show that Brigerman has been arrested and/or charged with nearly a dozen robbery and/or attempted robberies over the past 25 years.
In 2000, records indicate, Brigerman was connected to a monthslong spree of at least seven robberies or attempted robberies across Baltimore City and Baltimore County. In 2001, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for robbing a business with a deadly weapon, according to court records.
Records show that Brigerman was arrested again in 2015 for armed robbery, then in 2018 for attempted armed robbery. In 2018, case records show, Brigerman was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by probation.
Fast-forward to December 2024 and a warrant was issued for his arrest for allegedly violating the terms of his probation. Two weeks later he was accused of shooting a carryout owner during this latest attempted armed robbery.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the second suspect has not been identified,
Anyone with information concerning Brigerman’s whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 202-819-5058.
Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Ashwell at aashwell@sbgtv.com.