Baltimore art gallery owner, 76, is killed in botched robbery as police arrest 32-year-old
Claudia Bismark, a 76-year-old artist and former Baltimore gallery owner, died after she and her husband were attacked during a robbery near Fleet Street on Tuesday morning. The case has drawn attention to the loss of a longstanding contributor to the city’s arts community, as well as residents’ concerns about feeling safe in their neighbourhood.
Police arrested 32-year-old Montray McCray on Thursday and charged him with assault, robbery and reckless endangerment. He allegedly knocked Bismark and her husband, Wade Wilson, to the ground and stole Wilson’s wallet; Wilson was released from hospital and is expected to recover. Bismark ran the Bismark-Wilson Gallery in Fells Point for years and helped organise Artscape Festival and Art to Dine For. A candlelit vigil brought dozens of neighbours and friends together on Fleet Street.
- Gallery owner Claudia Bismark died after a Baltimore robbery.
- Her husband is expected to make a full recovery.
- Police arrested and charged a 32-year-old man.
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Claudia Bismark was a 76-year-old artist and gallery owner in Baltimore who died after she and her husband were attacked during a robbery near Fleet Street on Tuesday morning. The attack has brought attention to both the loss of a prominent arts figure in the city and residents' concerns about safety in their neighbourhood.
For many years, Bismark ran the Bismark-Wilson Gallery in Fells Point alongside her husband Wade Wilson. Beyond her gallery, she was known for helping to organise major community arts events including Artscape Festival and Art to Dine For, making her a longstanding contributor to Baltimore's cultural life.
During the robbery, an attacker knocked both Bismark and Wilson to the ground and stole Wilson's wallet. Wilson was hospitalised but is expected to recover. Police arrested 32-year-old Montray McCray on Thursday and charged him with assault, robbery and reckless endangerment. A candlelit vigil brought together dozens of neighbours and friends in the aftermath.