Homicides, Non-Fatal Shootings Increase From February to March

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Baltimore saw increases in both homicides and non-fatal shootings from February to March, according to Baltimore Witness data.

Data shows 14 reported homicide incidents in March, an approximate 27 percent increase from the 11 reported in February.

March homicides increased by approximately 56 percent from the nine reported in January, demonstrating a consistent increase from January through March.

On March 22, Fredi Lua, 42, was shot and killed on the 3200 block of Pulaski Highway. Emerson Serrano-Zaldiba, 17, was fatally shot the day prior on the 2500 block of Perring Manor Road. As of March 26, homicide detectives with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) were investigating the incident as a possible self-inflicted accidental gunshot wound.

On March 7, the BPD announced the arrest of Matthew Crawley, 27. Crawley is suspected of fatally shooting Taijah Addison, 27, near the 700 block of Yale Avenue. Officers made the arrest following reviews of video surveillance footage in the area. Crawley was taken to the Central Booking & Intake Center, where he was charged with first-degree murder.

The number of non-fatal shootings also increased from 12 reported incidents in February to 23, a 92 percent increase in March.

On March 12, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) announced the arrest of Darius Doles, 30. Doles is suspected to have shot and wounded a 33-year-old male victim on the 1400 block of Myrtle Avenue three days prior. Officers located the victim at an area hospital following a report of a walk-in shooting victim seeking treatment. He was found with a graze wound to his head.