Baltimore Mayor Doused: Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Has Water Thrown On Her At Community Event

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was doused with a large cup of water during a community event at a local mall on Saturday.

Police officers ultimately arrested Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer, 37, for throwing water on the mayor. Pailin-Sheffer has been charged with second-degree assault.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was not hurt during the water dousing incident at a Baltimore mall. The controversial elected official was attending the Mondawmin Fesitval, a free public event in the city. According to the City of Baltimore website, the festival activities included, “free food, art, basketball, obstacle course, and over 60 non-profit and agency booths offering resources direct to residents.” About 300 children enjoyed the Maryland National Guard sponsored inflatables obstacle course.

Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer allegedly ran up to the Baltimore mayor and poured a “large cup of liquid” over her head. Aides to Stephanie Rawlings-Blake reportedly rushed her side and dried her off while a member of the security detail grabbed Pailin-Sheffer and handcuffed the woman.

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“I didn’t know what it was that she threw at me,” Rawlings-Blake told the Baltimore Sun. “I hope it was water. It was more shocking than anything else.”

Baltimore community program manger, Kevin Cleary, of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, said Rawlings-Blake asked his office to plan the Mondawmin Festival to help “connect area residents with resources and to bring in business for mall retailers,” which have struggled since the spring riots. The festival visitors reportedly came in search of help finding housing, jobs, and legal services.

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Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore and the city housing department, the reportedly used taxpayer-generated funds to increase sales at the Mondawmin mall by purchasing “300 vouchers at $5 apiece” which were good for mall merchandise. The vouchers were given to the 300 festival volunteers. The food purchased by the group and handed out for free to festival attendees at the Baltimore included 1,000 hamburgers and 800 hot dogs, according to Cleary.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, a Democrat, is running for re-election to the Baltimore mayor post. Some in the city have criticized her handling of the April riots and the ongoing violence in the city, including her opponent in the coming primary election, former Mayor Sheila Dixon.

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