WASHINGTON (7News) — Surveillance video shows the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (
ATF) agents surrounding Mark Manley's home in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland at 5 a.m. last November.
Dozens of heavily armed federal agents and local law enforcement were at the front door. The first of two flash-bang explosive devices deployed into the living room.
The explosion of a flash bang was heard in the home.
"Occupants. This is the police with a warrant. Come to the door. Come out with your hands up. This is the police," said an officer through a loudspeaker.
Manley's wife, getting ready for work, screamed so loud it woke their 13-year-old daughter.
"It was a big scream. It definitely shook me up. Woke me up," said Zarah Manley who is the Manley's 13-year-old daughter.
Agents ordered everyone out of the house.
"You are pointing a gun on my daughter," yelled Mark Manley as he walked outside with his hands in the air.
"I'm walking out. Making sure the officers see that I am unarmed and not a threat," said Mark Manley to 7News during an interview.
Zena Manley's 17-year-old daughter heard another explosion.
"I heard another flashbang. At this time I didn't know what a flash bang was. So I said was that a bomb?" said Zena Manley.
The first flash bang left a mark on the floor.
"Pointing guns at my children could have gone really bad. Really fast," said Mark Manley.
Manely, his wife, and their two daughters found themselves outside in handcuffs. But for half an hour, Manely didn't know what happened to Akilez Manley, his son who was 15 years old.
"It was traumatizing. It was like waking up to a bad dream," said Akilez Manley.
ATF agents broke down the outside glass door in the basement leading to the teen's bedroom.
"Ten to 12 officers pointed semi-automatic rifles demanding for him [Akilez Manley] to show his hands," added Mark Manley.
"They were threatening me. Threatening to shoot. I honestly felt like I could get shot or I could die at any moment," said Akilez Manley.
"Why do you think they targeted you? Do you have any idea right now?" asked 7News I-Team Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor.
"I am a Black man in America that is heavily armed that educates the community on firearms," said Mark Manley.
The search warrant that led the ATF to Mark Manley's doorstep, was a federal court section that cited potential criminal violations that include engaging in the business of firearms without a license.
7News confirmed Mark Manley does have a firearms license in Maryland and a license to purchase firearms. And Mark Manley doesn't have a violent arrest record or any weapons violations.
"I work full-time at a high school. I am an intervention specialist. I teach de-escalation and conflict resolution," added Mark Manley.
He does charity work in Baltimore. He is an outspoken community advocate and has a large presence on digital platforms. More than 200 videos and over 309,000 people subscribe to
Mark Choppa TV --- his own YouTube channel.
"It means everything you know. Community. We are spreading unity. We are spreading education through our community. It's bringing everybody together, that's all," said Mark Manley on his YouTube channel.
He's also a gun collector and he doesn't hide it.
The ATF search warrant shows that investigators only seized Mark Manley's cell phone. They didn't take any weapons.
"I just felt very confused. Scared. It messed with my anxiety," said Zena Manley.
7News reached out to the ATF and it responded with an email:
"A federal judge signed a search warrant for the home. The warrant is under seal and the investigation is ongoing so I am not at liberty to release additional details. No charges have been filed at this time.
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Mark Choppa; 
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