Parking row leaves off-duty US cop dead

LONDON - An off-duty policeman died after he was hit on the head during a row over parking in the US, it was reported here.

Thirtyseven-year-old Brian Stevenson had an argument with another motorist who wanted to park in the same spot outside a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, Daily Mail reported Monday.

Stevenson was confronted by the driver and his passengers and “one of the individuals pulled a piece of concrete from the ground and struck him in the head”, Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi was quoted as saying.

The incident took place when Stevenson was out celebrating his birthday Saturday night.

“To lose his life in this manner is senseless,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, who said the argument was “incredibly petty”.