Non-Fatal Shootings Rise, Homicides Decrease in September

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Baltimore saw an increase in non-fatal shootings, but a decrease in homicides from August to September, according to Baltimore Witness data.

Data shows there were approximately 27 non-fatal shootings reported in September, an increase of approximately 23 percent from the 22 non-fatal shootings in August.

However, an increase in shootings did not increase the number of homicides. Baltimore Witness data shows 16 homicide incidents in September, a decrease of nearly 6 percent from the 17 homicides reported in August.

Of the homicides incidents last month, officers from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) have only apprehended two suspects. The BPD has not arrested any suspects for non-fatal shootings in September as of Oct. 1, according to Baltimore Witness data.

One of the homicide suspects apprehended in September was 38-year-old Teresa Collins. She was arrested on Sept 26 for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Jasmine Simuel while on the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue on Sept. 22.

Collins is charged with first-degree murder. She is currently being held without bail as she awaits a preliminary hearing in District Court.

Total arrests in September include two additional suspects for homicides that occurred before Sept. 1, and three suspects for non-fatal shootings that occurred in previous months.

Of the non-fatal shooting suspects, police arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Lopez. Lopez was extradited Sept. 18 from Martinsburg, WV to Baltimore City and charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a 32-year-old male on the on the 200 block of South Broadway on Aug. 5, 2023.

Lopez is currently being held pending a preliminary hearing in District Court on Oct. 17.