A shocking incident unfolded on Interstate 95 early Monday morning when 28-year-old Ronald Victor Garcia-Rodriguez was shot multiple times, leaving him critically injured. The suspect, 46-year-old Kevin Gross, has been arrested and faces serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder.
The Maryland State Police reported receiving emergency calls around 4:30 a.m., and upon arrival, they found Garcia-Rodriguez lying on the shoulder of the highway, suffering from severe gunshot wounds to his arm and torso. The victim managed to contact 911 himself after the attack. He was quickly transported to Shock Trauma for medical treatment.
Court documents reveal the disturbing events leading up to the shooting. On his way to work, Garcia-Rodriguez realized he had sustained a flat tire and pulled over just north of the Howard County line. While checking the damage outside his vehicle, he was approached from behind by Gross, who was concealed behind a mask. Gross engaged him with the comment about possibly hitting a pothole, but the victim noticed the tire had been intentionally slashed.
Without warning, Gross pulled out a firearm and began shooting Garcia-Rodriguez multiple times. The two men shared a workplace, both serving as assistant managers at Planet Aid, a nonprofit organization based in Elkridge, Maryland. According to witnesses and investigative reports, Gross had been demoted recently—an incident Garcia-Rodriguez suspected might have triggered the violent episode.
After the attack, Garcia-Rodriguez staggered along the highway, clearly desperate for help. It was only through his own resilience and determination to survive, managing to call 911, which prompted the swift response from law enforcement. The police arrested Gross shortly after the incident as he was making his way to work.
Upon questioning, Gross stated he had been waiting outside the victim's apartment with the intention to confront him due to his anger over the demotion. He followed Garcia-Rodriguez after he left his home and allegedly planned to fight him but resorted to gun violence instead.
The Maryland judicial system has not taken Gross's actions lightly. He appeared in court on Tuesday morning, where the prosecution cited his previous carjacking conviction to argue against bail. The defense argued for his release under home detention, emphasizing his role as caretaker for his mother who suffers from dementia. Nevertheless, the judge ruled Gross posed too much of a threat to both the victim and the community and denied bail.
Planet Aid has expressed its sorrow over the event, stating, "We have no special information about this tragic crime other than what has been reported. We hope for the recovery of the victim and justice for the situation."
The investigation continues, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident or been on I-95 around the time of the shooting is urged to contact the Maryland State Police.
This violent altercation highlights the increasingly concerning trend of workplace disputes spilling over outside of the office, leading to severe consequences. Law enforcement authorities continue to call for vigilance and community cooperation to prevent such tragedies.
Below the surface of this incident lies the issue of workplace stress and the severe repercussions it can have. With tensions flaring, employees must feel not only safe but also supported at their jobs to mitigate such extreme measures.
