East Baltimore erupts in violence
A number of years ago, multiple shootings at street corners in Baltimore fairly common. A teen armed with a gun and bad aim would simply spray the corner hoping to hit his target, and get a few more in the process.
But nothing ever happened like the spate of shootings last night in East Baltimore, where a dozen people were shot at a backyard party on Ashland Avenue, followed by a double fatal shooting two hours later on Fayette Street, followed by yet another double shooting on East Baltimore Street (here is a map).
Baltimore police were quiet at the scene and we don't know many details yet. Some might be related, others not (the one on East Baltimore Street was well away from the other two) and the place where a dozen were wounded is only a couple blocks from where a 17-year-old was shot and killed a week ago.
Police might have a few people in custody and they have a bullet-riddled car whose driver pulled up to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins. Police and paramedics must have been taxed to the limit (there was at least one othe shooting elsewhere in Baltimore, bringing the total for one night to 17).
I'll update as much as possible throughout the day.
It was a busy Twitter night for city cops. Here's how they put the initial information out through the night (most recent at top):
SHOOTING: Reported at Baltimore & Bond Male shot. Police investigating http://nixle.us/7QJR
about 8 hours ago from API
UPDATE: Shooting @ Fayette & Conkling now a double homicide
about 8 hours ago from web
UPDATE: N. Lakewood/Ashland Ave - 12 people shot & wounded following barbecue. None of the injuries so far appeared to be life-threatening.
about 8 hours ago from web
Shooting, 2846 Harford RD, adult male shot in leg
about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
DOUBLE SHOOTING: Fayette/Conklin Sts, 2 adult male victims. Police investigating
about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
UPDATE: N. Lakewood/Ashland Ave - 7 people shot, all transported to area hospitals. Police investigating and working crime scene. about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
MULTIPLE SHOOTING: N. Lakewood/Ashland Ave - multiple people shot; update to follow. Police en route. about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
Comments
Just want to give public praise and kudos to the Baltimore Sun's Justin Fenton for getting out in the trenches last night. Truly it's sad to see that at all these shootings, the only ones doing old school, pavement pounding report was lone wolf Fenton, an enigmatic blogger ;-).
What does it say of a major city that lacks comprehensive media getting out there, interviewing, investigating and chronicling local going ons, even if it is late at night. Truly I am saddened when I check other local outlets and the best they can provide is a passing blurb.
Not only is last night sadly historic for Baltimore, but I'm afraid it may land us another national dubious distinction. Would not be surprised if this story quickly spreads far and wide.
Posted by: A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L. | July 27, 2009 10:20 AM
And I was told Sunday was suppose to be a day of rest.
Posted by: Carole | July 27, 2009 1:05 PM
I hate to say it, but if you want state action on the crime front, you'll see it when white people get shot. Of the two hundred or so homicides so far this year, only 5 victims were white, none female, none in the Inner Harbor.
Posted by: Hello Dolly Llama | August 3, 2009 12:51 PM