The arrival of colder temperatures across Baltimore City has been accompanied by a decline in rates of both homicides and non-fatal shootings, reversing the increase in violent crime recorded in September.
Baltimore Witness shows that October saw nine homicides, a 25 percent decrease from the 13 recorded in September. The number of homicide victims also decreased eight percent from 14 to 12.
On Oct. 23, 42-year-old Eugene Henry was shot and killed on the 4100 block of Hyden Court in South Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighborhood. Medics transported Henry to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after. The same day, officers apprehended Gerard Morris, 48, on the 800 block of Glade Court.
Just two days later, another man was also injured in the leg during an unrelated shooting in North Baltimore’s Liberty Square neighborhood. On Oct. 25, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert on the 3200 block of Reisterstown Road, where they found 22-year-old Tyree Brooks and a 7-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both were transported to an area hospital, where Brooks was pronounced deceased. The child’s injuries were listed as non-life-threatening.
Police have yet to make arrests in connection to Brooks’ death and the child’s injuries.
While homicide rates saw a decline of less than 10 percent from September to October, non-fatal shootings dropped by a significant amount. In October, Baltimore City recorded 16 non-fatal shooting incidents, a 36 percent drop from September’s total of 23.
East Baltimore saw two similar non-fatal shooting incidents occur in the span of five days, both involving male victims shot in the leg.
At approximately 6:18 p.m. on Oct. 15, officers responded to the 3400 block of Belair Road, where they located a 29-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his leg. The victim was listed in stable condition following the shooting and expected to survive.
Just five days later on Oct. 20, another man was shot in the leg during the early morning hours near Greenmount Cemetery. At approximately 3:35 a.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert on the 1800 block of Ensor Street and located a 40-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the thigh. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was also expected to survive.
Police have yet to report arrests in either shooting.
