An Annapolis man is jailed without bond after police say he pulled a gun and shot a leashed dog that was being walked in Eastport last Saturday. The incident unfolded in the 1100 block of Madison Street while the animal was under control, according to investigators. The suspect, identified by police as Keith Roland Gross, is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 13.
Police Reverse Early Account
What started as a report of an aggressive, off-leash dog quickly turned into something very different once detectives dug in. Initial calls to police claimed the animal had charged the shooter, but investigators later said the evidence did not back that up. According to WMAR-2 News, Annapolis Police said that when Gross walked by, the dog strained against the leash, yet “the dogwalker kept control of the dog,” and that Gross then “pulled out a handgun and, at that moment, shot the dog.” The investigation remains active as detectives keep interviewing witnesses and reviewing available video.
Confusing Night, Conflicting Stories
In the hours after the shooting, details were murky and sometimes contradictory. A neighbor told officers the incident happened just before 2 a.m. on the same block, and early chatter suggested the dog had been off-leash and acting aggressively. Eye On Annapolis reported that police at first had not released the shooter’s identity or the dog’s condition, and that those initial descriptions did not line up with what investigators later described. That gap between first impressions and the evolving police account has prompted additional follow-up by detectives.
Suspect Identified And Charged
Officials have identified the accused shooter as Keith Roland Gross, who faces animal-cruelty and illegal gun-possession charges, according to WMAR-2 News. Gross is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on July 13. The station also reports that Gross has a prior record, including a 2017 drug conviction that led to an 18-month sentence and a 2008 juvenile firearm charge.
Why Neighbors Are On Edge
Even when no person is hit, any gunfire on a residential block can ratchet up anxiety, and Eastport residents have already been voicing concerns about shots fired on and around Madison Street. The Baltimore Banner has documented a rise in calls about gunfire in the area and noted a ShotPoint gunfire-detection pilot that has helped officers respond more quickly. Neighbors say episodes like this one only deepen a sense of unease and raise more questions about how safe their streets really are.
Legal Stakes
Under Maryland law, certain forms of intentional cruelty to animals are felonies. Aggravated cruelty can carry up to three years in prison and fines, according to state animal-cruelty statutes. Illegal possession of a regulated firearm in Maryland can also bring significant penalties under state Public Safety codes. For an overview of the relevant laws, see the Animal Legal & Historical Center and the state’s Public Safety provisions at Justia. Police say the case remains under active investigation and that the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office will continue reviewing evidence as it develops.
