Estate of One of the Men Killed in 2023 Annapolis Mass Shooting Files Civil Lawsuit
More than three years after a mass shooting on Paddington Place claimed the lives of three people and injured three others, the Estate of Nicolas Mireles, shown in the picture above on the left, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County against Charles Robert Smith and Shirley Mae Smith, alleging negligence, wrongful death, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other claims arising from the June 11, 2023 tragedy.
As reported by Report Annapolis News, Annapolis Police responded to the 1000 block of Paddington Place at approximately 7:57 p.m. on June 11, 2023, after receiving reports of a shooting. Six people were shot during the incident. Three victims, 27 year old Mario Mireles, his father, 55-year-old Nicolas Mireles, and 25 year old Christian Marlon Segovia of Severn, were killed, while three others were transported to area hospitals with gunshot wounds. Charles Robert Smith, whom authorities identified as a neighbor of the victims, was taken into custody at the scene, and investigators recovered the suspected weapons. Smith was later charged with multiple offenses, including three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Charging documents alleged the shooting stemmed from a dispute over parking during a birthday celebration at the Mireles family's home. Investigators alleged that Mario Mireles went next door to discuss the issue after Charles Robert Smith's mother, Shirley Smith, reportedly contacted parking enforcement regarding a vehicle.
Authorities further alleged the confrontation escalated after Charles Robert Smith returned home, displayed a handgun, struggled with Mario Mireles over the weapon, fatally shot him, then retreated inside the residence and fired multiple rounds from a rifle through a window, killing Nicolas Mireles and Christian Marlon Segovia and wounding three others. Investigators also stated there was no evidence indicating any of the victims were armed.
The lawsuit provides additional allegations regarding the events leading up to the shooting. The complaint alleges the vehicle at issue was parked adjacent to, but not blocking, the driveway at 1010 Paddington Place. It further alleges Shirley Smith confronted partygoers, repeatedly shouted profanities, physically shoved Mario Mireles Ruiz, and told those present that her son would arrive within approximately 15 minutes.
According to the complaint, Charles Robert Smith later arrived, briefly confronted Mario Mireles Ruiz, told him to "wait for me here," went inside the residence, returned with a semi-automatic handgun already drawn, and pointed it at Mario before a physical struggle over the firearm ensued.
The complaint further alleges Charles Robert Smith fired multiple rounds, killing Mario Mireles Ruiz and Christian Marlon Segovia before returning inside the residence to retrieve an AR-15-style rifle. It alleges he then fired repeated volleys through a window toward people gathered outside. According to the lawsuit, Nicolas Mireles had just returned from a nearby store, discovered his mortally wounded son, knelt beside him in grief, and was fatally shot in the head as he attempted to flee.
The complaint also names Shirley Mae Smith as a defendant. It alleges she escalated the confrontation, knowingly permitted her son access to firearms despite his alleged history of violence, mental health issues, and military firearms training, failed to intervene during the shootings, and participated in conduct that contributed to the deaths.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges the attack was motivated, at least in part, by the victims' Latino ethnicity and asserts a civil claim under Maryland's hate crime statute. Those allegations remain claims made by the plaintiffs and have not been adjudicated by the court.
The plaintiffs are requesting a jury trial and seek compensatory damages exceeding $75,000, punitive damages, attorney's fees where authorized by law, court costs, interest, and any additional relief the court deems appropriate.
The civil lawsuit comes more than a year after the criminal prosecution ended in a mistrial. In February 2025, an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge declared a mistrial following a three-week trial against Charles Robert Smith. According to the Maryland Judiciary, a mistrial is a trial that has been terminated and declared void because of prejudicial error in the proceedings or other extraordinary circumstances.
Shortly after the mistrial was declared, the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office told Report Annapolis News:
"This was a thorough, professional, and hard-fought case by the prosecution and defense. The State will try this case again and seek justice for the victims."
The current status of the criminal case was not immediately available. Court records show prosecutors previously filed notice of their intent to seek a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Before the mistrial, Smith had been indicted on more than 40 charges, including three counts of first-degree murder and three felony hate crime charges.
An online tribute described Mario Mireles and his father, Nicolas Mireles, as devoted fathers who "always brightened up the room." Mario left behind his wife and three children, while Nicolas was survived by his wife, 10 children, and grandchildren. A public visitation for the father and son was held at Maryland Hall in Annapolis on June 22, 2023.
Mario Mireles' obituary described him as an entrepreneur and businessman who built a successful mobile detailing business to provide a better future for his family. Friends also remembered Nicolas Mireles as a devoted father and business owner who remained actively involved in his children's education and school community.
Christian Segovia was remembered in his obituary as someone who grew up in a loving and proudly Peruvian-Salvadoran household surrounded by family and friends. "His spirit was one of a kind and truly unmatched. He knew his worth and never had to prove to anyone what his value was."
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