From Maryland to Massachusetts, where things stand in domestic assault investigation into Ravens' Zay Flowers
BALTIMORE - Police in Massachusetts and in Baltimore County have yet to answer specific questions surrounding an investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident involving Baltimore Ravens' rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers.
It follows several Maryland lawmakers demanding the release of a 911 call related to the case.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren reported from Owings Mills on where the investigation stands.
The Ravens' wide receiver has not commented about the alleged domestic incident and is not charged with any crime.
Baltimore County police said this week there is still an "open investigation," but they have not commented further.
A review of police dispatch recordings from January 16 reveals a call to a townhome in a new Owings Mills development where Flowers lives, according to property records.
"On call back, female answered and was crying—said she didn't have an emergency but seemed in distress when she hung up the phone," the dispatcher said.
The address is a six-minute drive from the Ravens' training facility.
WJZ spoke to several neighbors in the community who were aware of the incident. No one would go on camera.
The day after the call to police from Owings Mills, Flowers gave interviews to the media before a playoff game that Saturday.
WJZ has learned police in Acton, Massachusetts received a report involving Flowers on January 21st.
Authorities there will not release it or discuss any potential allegations citing Massachusetts' domestic violence laws.
A 2022 Boston public radio investigation found Massachusetts' "uniquely broad privacy law, intended to protect the privacy and safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence, has instead protected perpetrators and police"—requiring police to keep reports secret—unlike other states.
Seven Maryland lawmakers signed a letter last week demanding Baltimore County release a 911 recording "which led to the investigation of Ravens player Zay Flowers for domestic violence."
It states, "Withholding these recordings perpetuates a narrative that some individuals are exempt from scrutiny due to their affluence and social status."
"We need open and transparent government. We need to know that everybody plays by the same rules. Whether you're famous or not the law works for everybody," Delegate Kathy Szeliga, a Baltimore County Republican, told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.
The Ravens told WJZ last week, "We take these matters seriously and will have no further comment at this time."
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski's office said, "Consistent with departmental policy, Baltimore County does not release recordings or other information which could jeopardize or impede ongoing investigations."
The county said they "condemn all acts of domestic violence and take any potential incident seriously."