The shell casings stretched from Gorsuch Avenue to the parking lot of the Stadium Citgo Auto Center (Photo by Liam Quigley)
One of the murders in Waverly last week may have taken place on Greenmount and Gorsuch Avenue rather than Greenmount and 33rd Street, as has been widely reported.
Liam Quigley said he was at the scene of the crime shortly after Damon Anthony Minor, 21, was murdered around 2pm on Saturday and photographed the 15 shell casings that littered the ground.
“Most of the investigation and shell casings were on or much closer to Gorsuch Avenue, not 33rd street,” Quigley said. “There wasn’t even any police tape on 33rd street, but Gorsuch Avenue was completely blocked off.”
Baltimore City Police maintain Greenmount and 33rd as the location where the shooting took place.
UPDATED 4/15/10, 3:1o p.m.
More shell casings from the Saturday murder in Waverly (Photo by Liam Quigley)
The Brew was the first to release the identity of Minor, who police say was shot on the street after an ”altercation” in the Friendly Fried Chicken restaurant nearby. A police spokesperson said police do not know whether the murder was a targeted hit. “What we do know is that there was a physical altercation,” said Detective Nicole Monroe. ”That altercation spilled out onto the street and he was subsequently shot.”
Minor’s assailants have still not been identified. “As a result of camera footage we know we’re looking for at least two people,” said Monroe.
Local Response
Tonight at 5 p.m., a candlelight vigil in memory of victim Charles Bowman is scheduled at the corner of Greenmount and 29th. It’s being promoted by City Councilmember Belinda K. Conaway, who has called on city and federal law enforcement to “multiply the efforts to get violent offenders off the streets.”
On Saturday, merchants and residents will come together on Greenmount Avenue from 12-4 p.m. to show solidarity as a community in response to the murders last week. The community gathering, called “Grow Greenmount,” was organized by City Council member Mary Pat Clarke, the Waverly Merchant’s Association, Waverly Main Street, the Homewood Community Corporation, and other community organizations concerned that the murders will overshadow the progress that the area has made in revitalizing Greenmount Avenue the last few years.
“Non-stop media coverage has pained a blighted picture of our beloved community,” said Jermaine Martez Johnson, Director of Community Economic Development for the Greater Homewood Community Corporation. “We know that north Baltimore is the best place to call home and…now more than ever, the merchants need your support.”
The event will include free food, music and giveways. At 2 p.m., Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, Fire Chief James Clack, Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, and other community leaders, residents and merchants will participate in a “solidarity walk to promote restored safety to Greenmount Avenue.” The walk will begin at Darker than Blue Cafe on Greemount Ave.
“We’re coming together to show unity, solidarity and support for the merchants and our commercial district,” said Johnson.
“We’ve worked so hard. All the groups have worked so hard the past few years to make strides on Greenmount Avenue,” he said. “We need 300 people on the street. . . Your presence will make a difference.”
Minor’s death was the second homicide in Waverly in two days and there have been 46 homicides in Baltimore so far this year.
Baltimore Brew is a moderated site that encourages the free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect. We reserve the right - but do not assume any obligation - to delete or withhold the publication of comments that violate our standards. Comments that are obscene, libelous or defamatory, or include vicious personal attacks will not be published. Racist remarks, sexist remarks, disgusting stuff, blatant commercial self-promotion – you get the idea – if it crosses our line, we’re not going to run it.