Boxer charged with killing Fells Point artist
Prosecutors say Montray McCray used his training to attack a couple, stealing $150 before Claudia Bismark died two days later.
By Grace Almasi ·
Montray McCray, a 32-year-old former college athlete, stands accused of using his boxing training to kill a 76-year-old local artist and injure her husband during a breakfast outing. McCray was indicted on Oct. 29 for first-degree murder and robbery in the death of Claudia Bismark. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
The attack occurred on the morning of Sept. 29 at Vikki’s Fells Point Deli inside Broadway Market. Authorities say McCray argued with security at a nearby homeless outreach program before spotting Bismark and Wade Wilson, 60, paying for food with cash. He followed the couple as they left the market holding hands. State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said McCray punched Wilson in the face, knocking the pair to the ground.
According to a news release from the Baltimore state’s attorney’s office, McCray searched Wilson’s pockets for his wallet. When Bismark tried to rise and help her husband, McCray pulled her body backward and punched her in the face. She fell and struck her head on the ground. McCray took Wilson’s wallet, which held $150, and fled the scene. Bismark died of her injuries two days later.
Harold Williams, owner of Hot Box Baltimore gym in Pigtown, coached McCray this past summer. Williams said he took McCray on pro bono because few people dedicate themselves to the sport. He noted that many great boxers have rough edges. McCray won his first professional style fight under Williams’ guidance, calling the victory a lifelong dream in an Instagram post. McCray stopped showing up to training around the start of September.
Williams viewed the attack video on social media and called McCray to confront him. McCray told Williams he was not involved, a statement Williams called a blatant lie. Williams said McCray knew he had a place to stay at the gym if he fell on hard times. That is not what I am coaching for, it is just a total misrepresentation of boxing, Williams said.
Court records show McCray has a history of legal troubles, including convictions for theft, violating a protective order, and drug charges. In 2021, his stepmother sought a protective order for herself and two others, alleging harassment and threatening texts. A judge denied that petition. In early 2022, a woman filed multiple temporary protective orders, accusing McCray of stalking, physical abuse, and threats of imminent serious bodily harm after a four-month relationship.
Eric Ross, 33, met McCray at Bowie State University around 2012. Ross saw McCray again in May at a Little Italy laundromat. McCray was unemployed, and Ross had found faith after health issues. Ross hired McCray to drive cargo vans for his logistics business, Ross Solutions LLC. He gave him a job, give him an opportunity to put some money in his pocket so that the event that happened down on Fells Point would have never had to happen, Ross said.
Trouble emerged within weeks. Ross said McCray argued with a security guard and was barred from a client facility. A woman threw a brick through one of the vans McCray drove. McCray accrued 13 traffic tickets in two months, most of which Ross paid. McCray stopped working for Ross on Aug. 4. He will talk so gangster, but ain't nothing gangster about putting your hands on an old lady, Ross said.
