Teenager Charged as Person of Interest in Baltimore Mass Shooting
Baltimore police have charged a 17-year-old boy as a person of interest in connection with the mass shooting that occurred on Sunday. Homicide detectives and SWAT members apprehended the teenager without incident at 7 a.m. on Friday during the execution of a search warrant. Although he is not being charged as the shooter, police believe that the 17-year-old boy was involved in the incident. He is currently being held at Central Booking on charges including possession of a firearm by a minor, assault weapon possession, reckless endangerment, and handgun in a vehicle. The teenager came under suspicion early on due to cellphone footage posted on social media, which shows him pulling out what appears to be a gun from a backpack. However, his lawyer stated that he is unsure about the nature of the object in question.
Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed at a news conference on Monday that the teenager is a suspect because he was in possession of a weapon at the scene of the crime. Residents of Brooklyn Homes, where the incident took place, expressed relief at the arrest. The mass shooting occurred during an annual block party at 12:35 a.m. on Sunday, resulting in 30 people being shot. As of Friday, three victims remain in hospitals, all in fair condition. Sadly, two victims, 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi, lost their lives in the incident.
An internal police investigation is currently underway to determine why officers were unaware of the event and how they responded once they became aware. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced on Thursday that all aspects of the incident would be thoroughly examined, including what the police knew, when they knew it, and how they responded. Police radio transmissions indicate that officers had knowledge of the gathering hours before the shooting occurred. However, the conversations suggest that what was initially heard were fireworks and that the crowd was behaving normally.
Commissioner Worley admitted on Monday that this year they did not learn about the event until the day it took place, which hindered their ability to deploy additional resources in a timely manner. As a result, by the time police officers arrived at the scene, the incident had already occurred. The chaotic nature of the situation is evident in the police radio transmissions. Officers requested more crime scene tape to seal off the area, and shell casings were found in the middle of the crime scene. Additionally, there were 19 walk-ins at Harbor Hospital, adding to the confusion. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are determined to learn from the incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In response to the mass shooting, the City Council Public Safety and Government Operations Committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to address the issue. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation. Individuals can contact the police directly at 410-396-2100 or provide anonymous tips through Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP. A reward of up to $28,000 is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest and charges.
Original Story at www.wbaltv.com – 2023-07-07 21:53:00
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