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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Baltimore Third-Grade Student Falls In School, Dies



Baltimore police are investigating the death of a third-grade student. 

A third-grade student at Gwynns Falls Elementary School was playing and fell inside the school, sources told 11 News lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller. School officials said the incident happened around 1 p.m. on Sept. 24.
The family's lawyer has identified the child as Darius Clark.  
Sources tell 11 News Clark fell down steps and was critically injured. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Hospital. The The unidentified boy died Tuesday night after spending five days in the hospital.
In a statement, Baltimore City Police Clark suffered a 'traumatic head injury' as a result of the fall.  They are calling the death a 'tragic accident.'  

Family members tell 11 News they have concerns about how the incident was handled by the school and they question whether an ambulance was called in a timely fashion. 

City schools released the following statement Wednesday afternoon: 

"A third-grade student at Gwynns Falls Elementary School fell in a hallway, was taken to the school's health suite, and ultimately transported by ambulance to Johns Hopkins Hospital after a 911 call was placed. We are deeply saddened to learn that late last evening, our student passed away. Our deepest thoughts and concerns are with the family and the entire Gwynns Falls school community at this time. 

Counselors are at the school to help children and staff members process the emotions they may be feeling and will remain there as long as necessary." 

Both City Schools and Baltimore City Police are looking into the incident. More information will be provided as it becomes available. 

The Baltimore Police Department confirms its homicide unit is investigating the child's death. The manner of death has not yet been ruled.

Source WBAL

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Trial Dates Set For Freddie Gray Cases


A Baltimore judge has scheduled the first trial in the Freddie Gray case for Nov. 30 and the other trials are set for early next year.
Here are the dates for the Freddie Gray trials:
Officer Wm. Porter set for Nov. 30
Officer Caesar Goodson Jan.6
Sgt. Alicia White Jan. 25
Officer. Garrett Miller's trial is set for Feb. 9
Officer Ed Nero trial set for Feb. 22
Lt. Brian Rice March 9

Officer William Porter will go on trial first. He is accused of failing to provide or request medical care for Gray and not securing him safely in a van. Gray was a black man who died after being injured in custody. His death led to protests, rioting and a curfew after people became angry over the police treatment of Gray.
Porter is charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
Prosecutors said they intend to call Porter as a witness against at least two other officers.
Porter's request for a delay came from defense; Rest of the delays came at request of State, over defense objections.
Prosecutors said they intend to call Porter as a witness against at least two other officers.
Five of six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray were at the court hearing about the case.
Officer William Porter was the only one who didn't attend the hearing Tuesday. Prosecutors have told the judge in a letter that they would like to try Porter first, and intend to call him as a witness against at least two other officers.

Source WBAL

Amazon Opens New Fulfillment Center In Baltimore


Amazon is opening its new fulfillment center in Baltimore
A ceremony was held Tuesday morning at the 1 million square-foot fulfillment center on Broening Highway.
The Baltimore Sun reported this summer that more than 2,500 people had been hired for full-time positions at the center. When plans for the center were announced in 2013, Amazon said it would employ about 1,000 people who would fill orders for across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake planned to attend the opening along with Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger and Business and Economic Development Secretary Mike Gill.

Source WBAL

Baltimore Police: Commander On Administrative Duty After Shooting


Police say a Baltimore district commander will be placed on routine administrative duty after shooting a man who refused commands to show his hands.

The shooting happened shortly before 7:15 p.m. Monday in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard near Harmon Avenue in Morrell Park.

Police said the officer was by himself in a patrol car when he stopped a man at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Reynolds Street to speak with him.
Police said the officer told a 40-year-old man to show his hands, but police said he refused.
As this encounter took place, and the officer continued to give commands, the officer fired a single shot, striking the suspect in his leg. The person was taken to the hospital, where he has non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement released Tuesday, a department spokesman identified Maj. Byron Conaway, the southwest district commander and 16-year veteran, as the officer involved in Monday evening's shooting in his district.
Spokesman T. J. Smith said Conaway was headed to a community meeting when he stopped to speak to the man. Smith says the man wouldn't take his hands out of his pockets when Conaway demanded to see them. Smith says the man was shot in the leg and Conaway applied a tourniquet. A hospital spokeswoman says the 40-year-old man has been discharged.
Smith says no weapon was found on the man, who is white. Conaway is black.

Source WBAL

Monday, September 28, 2015

Police Seek To Identify Girl Found In Baltimore County


RadioOnFire.com - The Baltimore County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a juvenile found in the 3900 block of Hollins Ferry Road 21227 just before 10:30 p.m. last night.
The juvenile is an African American female approximately three-years-old and medium skinned. She is wearing a long sleeve shirt with a pink design on front, a jean skirt with white "leggings" underneath, and blue flip-flops. Her hair was braided with blue, white and red berets shaped in a flower design.
Police believe her name might be "Jacia" or nickname might be "Sissy".
The girl is now in the custody of Baltimore County Social Services.
Anyone with information on this juvenile is asked to call the Baltimore County Police Wilkens precinct at 410-887-0872.

Source WBAL

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Dalton, Green Lead Bengals Over Winless Ravens 28-24


Andy Dalton kept the Cincinnati Bengals unbeaten and dropped the winless Baltimore Ravens to a place they've never been before.
Dalton threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green with 2:10 left, and the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Ravens 28-24 Sunday, dropping Baltimore to 0-3 for the first time in franchise history.
The Bengals (3-0) blew a 14-0 lead and twice trailed in the fourth quarter before Dalton brought them back by repeatedly picking apart the porous Baltimore pass defense.
Dalton went 20 for 32 for 383 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was Green, who finished with 10 catches for a career-high 227 yards and two scores.
The Ravens lost despite getting 362 yards passing from Joe Flacco, who twice connected with Steve Smith for touchdowns. Smith had 13 catches for 186 yards, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Ravens from losing again.
Baltimore was the only existing NFL team never to start 0-3. Before this season, it had been a decade since the Ravens began with two straight defeats.

Source WBAL

Ravens Facing High Stakes Game With Bengals


The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals have been models of consistency in the AFC North in recent years, but they've opened 2015 in completely different fashions.Cincinnati is off to another strong start ahead of Sunday's meeting in Baltimore, where the Ravens look to avoid their first 0-3 start.
John Harbaugh has led the Ravens to the postseason in six of his seven years as coach, but he's never had to recover from an 0-2 start, the franchise's first since 2005.
"We've got to go forward," he said after road losses at Denver and Oakland. "We have every opportunity to accomplish what we need to accomplish. We just have to get better."
Seeking their fifth straight playoff appearance, the Bengals (2-0) have impressed in 33-13 and 24-19 wins against Oakland and San Diego, averaging 392.5 yards of offense to their opponents' 300.0.
Another victory Sunday would give them their second straight 3-0 start. They also started 6-2 in 2013 and 3-1 in 2012.
"It's exactly how you want to start, and we by no means have played a perfect game," quarterback Andy Dalton said. "There's still a lot more we can improve on. So the good thing is we feel that way and we've won games."
Dalton has been efficient thus far, posting a 120.3 passer rating with five touchdowns. He's the league's lone quarterback yet to be sacked or intercepted while starting the first two games.
Dalton has been successful despite a slow start by A.J. Green, who has been limited to eight receptions for 108 yards and a TD. Even during an injury-riddled 2014, Green averaged 80.1 yards.
Third-year tight end Tyler Eifert has emerged as a new weapon for Dalton, though, grabbing 13 of 17 targets for 153 yards and three TDs, which trail only Rob Gronkowski.
The Cincinnati running game, which ranked sixth last year with 134.2 yards per game, appears to be strong again with 302 yards. There is some uncertainty as to how the distribution of carries will play out moving forward, however.
No. 2 back Giovani Bernard ran for 123 yards on 20 carries in last week's win against San Diego, getting his most work in his 13 games as lead back Jeremy Hill sat out following his second fumble.
Hill supplanted Bernard as last season progressed, averaging 19.1 carries the final nine regular-season games.
"Jeremy's a talented young player, and we've got to keep the football," coach Marvin Lewis said. "That wasn't part of his deal last year, and we can't let it creep in."
Bernard had 10 or fewer carries in four of his final five regular-season games last year, but figures to get more work after impressing against the Raiders.
Regardless of who is getting the ball, the Bengals need to do a better job establishing the run against the Ravens after averaging 3.2 yards per carry in last year's series. They still won both, however, putting themselves in position to win a fourth straight matchup for the first time in series history.
Dalton has struggled in Baltimore, recording a 67.6 passer rating, but Green has flourished with 282 receiving yards in his last two visits. Green has also scored TDs of 51-plus yards in each of the last three meetings overall.
Cincinnati could look to pick on Ravens No. 1 corner Jimmy Smith, who has given up 10 completions on 16 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown.
While Dalton has been a steadying force for the Bengals, Baltimore's Joe Flacco owns a 34.6 fourth-quarter passer rating with two interceptions on 26 attempts. His 99.7 fourth-quarter passer rating ranked ninth in the NFL last year.
What may be more worrisome than Flacco's uneven play is that the Ravens surrendered 37 points and 448 yards to Oakland on Sunday after the Raiders finished 31st with 15.8 points per game last year.
Getting off the field on third down has been a huge problem with opponents converting 17 of 32 tries, including seven of 10 in the second half.
Generating pressure has also proven difficult after the loss of Terrell Suggs (Achilles), who is out for the year. The Ravens had just one sack against Oakland.
"If we're going to have a chance to be a successful football team, our defense is going to have to step up and play the way the Ravens play," Harbaugh said. "We expect to play great defense around here, and that's just not what we did on Sunday."
Getting to Dalton could be a recipe for success Sunday. He owns a 132.9 passer rating when not pressured compared to a 51.6 mark when pressured - the league's third-largest disparity among quarterbacks with at least 28 attempts. Dalton's seven interceptions against blitzes last year also tied Flacco for the most in the NFL.
Baltimore leads this series 20-18.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Baltimore County Police Release Video in Police-Involved Shooting


Baltimore County police on Friday identified a man fatally shot by an officer in Reisterstown, a suburban area outside Baltimore.
Police say Keith Harrison McLeod, 19, of northeast Washington, was shot three times on Wednesday during a confrontation after police say he tried to buy narcotic cough syrup with a forged prescription from a nearby pharmacy.
Police said video footage from nearby businesses shows McLeod aggressively approaching an officer before reaching around his back, then abruptly swinging his arm forward - at which point the officer fired.
No weapon was found at the scene, police said.
No one answered the door Friday at an address for Harrison in northeast Washington.
On Friday, police identified the officer who shot McLeod as Officer Earomirski, assigned to Precinct 3/Franklin. He began his service with the department in December 2005.
The department has an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge that requires officials to wait 48 hours after a shooting by an officer to identify that officer, and only release the officer's last name, rank and assignment.
A department spokeswoman said Chief Jim Johnson, after consulting with the state's attorney, will show the video to reporters Friday afternoon and release it to the public.
The Baltimore County chapter of the NAACP had called on police to release the video.      
Police said McLeod was black and Earomirski is white.



Governor Hogan To Attend Ravens Game With Childhood Cancer Patients


Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is planning to attend the Baltimore Ravens' game with childhood cancer patients. 

Hogan is scheduled to attend Sunday's game at M&T Bank Stadium when the Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals. 

The governor is currently being treated for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He said recently that he has completed two-thirds of this treatment and has two months left. 

Earlier this month the governor joined four children battling cancer to watch the Washington Redskins home opener. The Redskins lost that game to the Miami Dolphins 17-0.

Source WBAL

Friday, September 25, 2015

NFL: Ravens-Bengals Preview


The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals have been models of consistency in the AFC North in recent years, but they've opened 2015 in completely different fashions.Cincinnati is off to another strong start ahead of Sunday's meeting in Baltimore, where the Ravens look to avoid their first 0-3 start.
John Harbaugh has led the Ravens to the postseason in six of his seven years as coach, but he's never had to recover from an 0-2 start, the franchise's first since 2005.
"We've got to go forward," he said after road losses at Denver and Oakland. "We have every opportunity to accomplish what we need to accomplish. We just have to get better."
Seeking their fifth straight playoff appearance, the Bengals (2-0) have impressed in 33-13 and 24-19 wins against Oakland and San Diego, averaging 392.5 yards of offense to their opponents' 300.0.
Another victory Sunday would give them their second straight 3-0 start. They also started 6-2 in 2013 and 3-1 in 2012.
"It's exactly how you want to start, and we by no means have played a perfect game," quarterback Andy Dalton said. "There's still a lot more we can improve on. So the good thing is we feel that way and we've won games."
Dalton has been efficient thus far, posting a 120.3 passer rating with five touchdowns. He's the league's lone quarterback yet to be sacked or intercepted while starting the first two games.
Dalton has been successful despite a slow start by A.J. Green, who has been limited to eight receptions for 108 yards and a TD. Even during an injury-riddled 2014, Green averaged 80.1 yards.
Third-year tight end Tyler Eifert has emerged as a new weapon for Dalton, though, grabbing 13 of 17 targets for 153 yards and three TDs, which trail only Rob Gronkowski.
The Cincinnati running game, which ranked sixth last year with 134.2 yards per game, appears to be strong again with 302 yards. There is some uncertainty as to how the distribution of carries will play out moving forward, however.
No. 2 back Giovani Bernard ran for 123 yards on 20 carries in last week's win against San Diego, getting his most work in his 13 games as lead back Jeremy Hill sat out following his second fumble.
Hill supplanted Bernard as last season progressed, averaging 19.1 carries the final nine regular-season games.
"Jeremy's a talented young player, and we've got to keep the football," coach Marvin Lewis said. "That wasn't part of his deal last year, and we can't let it creep in."
Bernard had 10 or fewer carries in four of his final five regular-season games last year, but figures to get more work after impressing against the Raiders.
Regardless of who is getting the ball, the Bengals need to do a better job establishing the run against the Ravens after averaging 3.2 yards per carry in last year's series. They still won both, however, putting themselves in position to win a fourth straight matchup for the first time in series history.
Dalton has struggled in Baltimore, recording a 67.6 passer rating, but Green has flourished with 282 receiving yards in his last two visits. Green has also scored TDs of 51-plus yards in each of the last three meetings overall.
Cincinnati could look to pick on Ravens No. 1 corner Jimmy Smith, who has given up 10 completions on 16 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown.
While Dalton has been a steadying force for the Bengals, Baltimore's Joe Flacco owns a 34.6 fourth-quarter passer rating with two interceptions on 26 attempts. His 99.7 fourth-quarter passer rating ranked ninth in the NFL last year.
What may be more worrisome than Flacco's uneven play is that the Ravens surrendered 37 points and 448 yards to Oakland on Sunday after the Raiders finished 31st with 15.8 points per game last year.
Getting off the field on third down has been a huge problem with opponents converting 17 of 32 tries, including seven of 10 in the second half.
Generating pressure has also proven difficult after the loss of Terrell Suggs (Achilles), who is out for the year. The Ravens had just one sack against Oakland.
"If we're going to have a chance to be a successful football team, our defense is going to have to step up and play the way the Ravens play," Harbaugh said. "We expect to play great defense around here, and that's just not what we did on Sunday."
Getting to Dalton could be a recipe for success Sunday. He owns a 132.9 passer rating when not pressured compared to a 51.6 mark when pressured - the league's third-largest disparity among quarterbacks with at least 28 attempts. Dalton's seven interceptions against blitzes last year also tied Flacco for the most in the NFL.
Baltimore leads this series 20-18.

Source WBAL

Baltimore Police Investigate Homicide Near Elementary School


Baltimore police are investigating a homicide Thursday night.
A Central District patrol officer was in the area of Eutaw and McMechen streets in west Baltimore just before 7 p.m. when he heard several gunshots.

Following a search, police found a 34-year-old man the 1600 block of Eutaw Street, near Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was pronounced dead on the scene by medics.

Detectives do not have a suspect or motive at this time.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Source WBAL

Thursday, September 24, 2015

House Explodes In Howard County


A gas worker was hurt and a person inside a home was rescued as a fire burned multiple townhouses, sending flames and smoke high above the three-story homes. 
As of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters had the blaze under control and searched the Columbia site. Howard County Fire Chief John Butler said at a news conference that, "At this time, we believe everyone is accounted for." 

Butler says he believes the BGE employee who was injured was there to investigate a gas smell. 

Butler says emergency crews responded after report of an explosion at 7:19 p.m.  the 12200 block of Sleepy Horse Lane in Columbia. Arriving crews found at least one house engulfed in flames and the fire spread to at least two other homes. Window frames, insulation and lumber littered the street. 

Two people were taken to hospitals.

Source WBAL

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Reverend Jamal Bryant Announces He Will Not Run For U.S. Congress


Reverend Jamal Bryant announced to his congregation at the Empowerment Temple Church Tuesday night that he would not run for U.S. Congress. Just last week he said that he would run to represent the 7th District... A seat held by Elijah Cummings since 1996.
Reverend Bryant said Tuesday that he hoped that Congressman Cummings would run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Senator Barbara Mikulski.  He said he spoke to his mentor, Cummings, who told him that he will not be seeking the Senate seat and will run again for his current seat.  That statement has not been confirmed by Congressman Cummings.
The 7th district represents parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.

Source WBAL

Two Carjacking Suspects Arrested After Crashing Near Shock Trauma


Baltimore City Police officers arrested two suspects of a carjacking in the 1600 block of Bolton Street at about 7 a.m. Tuesday. 
The male suspects, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old, crashed into vehicles in traffic along MLK Blvd and also hit parked vehicles near Shock Trauma where they wrecked the stolen car along Redwood Street.
Police say one civilian and one suspect suffered minor injuries. 
A toy gun was recovered.
UPDATE:
Regarding the two suspect’s arrested for this morning’s armed carjacking in the 1600 block of Bolton Street, Baltimore Police have arrested and charged Jawon Johnson (18) of the 800 block of Webb Court and 16 year-old Larry Owens of the 4300 block of Raymar Avenue.  Owens is being charged as an adult.
Both have been charged with armed robbery, assault, and various traffic violations and are in Central Booking awaiting their bail reviews.

Source WBAL

Monday, September 21, 2015

Baltimore Jewish Council, Islamic Group CAIR Criticize Dr. Ben Carson's Comments About A Muslim President


A prominent U.S. Islamic group this morning called for Ben Carson to withdraw from the 2016 presidential race after his weekend comment that he would not support a Muslim for president.
"Mr. Ben Carson is wrong today to assume and say that American Muslims should not be president of the U.S.," Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said at a news conference today.
"We ask Mr. Ben Carson to withdraw from the presidential race because he is unfit to lead because his views are in contradiction with the U.S. Constitution."
CAIR leaders, visibly outraged today, said they are inviting Carson to meet with them. Carson’s campaign said Sunday it has reached out to the group and is willing to have conversations with CAIR leaders.
The organization said today it looks forward to a meeting with him, but believes he should apologize to the Muslim community and the American people.
"We do not know how he can lead and take the highest position in this land," Awad said at CAIR's headquarters on Capitol Hill.
CAIR leaders also said they are providing copies of the Koran free of charge to the public, and also will be sending one to Carson.
Besides Carson's saying Sunday he would not support a Muslim as president, the GOP candidate also said Islam, as a religion, was inconsistent with the Constitution. Carson told NBC's "Meet the Press" he believed a president's faith should matter "depending on what that faith is."
"I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that," Carson said. "If it's [a president's faith] inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter."

Source WBAL

Saturday, September 19, 2015

State Wants Certain Officer To Go On Trial 1st In Gray Case


Prosecutors want a specific police officer to go on trial first in the Freddie Gray case because they say the officer will be called as a witness to testify against two other members of the force, according to a letter sent to the judge.
Gray died after suffering a critical spinal injury while in police custody and six officers have been charged in his arrest and death.
Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow asked Judge Barry Williams on Tuesday to schedule Officer William Porter's trial first because he is "a necessary and material witness in the cases against" Officer Caesar Goodson and Sgt. Alicia White.
Porter, Goodson and White all face manslaughter, misconduct in office, assault and reckless endangerment charges. Goodson also faces a charge of "depraved-heart" murder.
Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was arrested on April 12 after he ran from police in West Baltimore. Officers and their attorneys maintain he had an illegal switchblade, but prosecutors say Gray was in possession of a legal knife.
While handcuffed and shackled in the police transport van, Gray suffered a spinal injury. He died in the hospital a week later.
Porter was not present during Gray's arrest, but met the police van at one of several stops it made before delivering Gray to the Western District station house roughly 45 minutes after he was detained.
Prosecutors say Gray told Porter that he couldn't breathe asked for medical attention, but instead of calling a medic, Porter helped Gray off the floor and onto the bench, and did not secure him with a seat belt, a violation of department policy.
Porter then followed the van to another stop, where prosecutors say Porter, along with Goodson and White, opened the van again to observe Gray, but this time the man was unresponsive.
Defense attorneys have asked Williams to dismiss the reckless endangerment charge, arguing that not buckling Gray isn't a crime.
Attorneys for Porter and the State's Attorney's Office did not immediately return calls for comment on Friday. Joseph Murtha, an attorney for Porter, declined to comment Friday.
Schatzow also requested an alternative order of Miller being tried first, followed by Porter and the other officers. Schatzow wrote that "without listing the possible permutations, the state seeks" to try Miller before Nero, and Nero be before Rice.
In a pair of filings this week, the state also disclosed that it intends to introduce DNA evidence to build its case, and plans to call expert witnesses in knife mechanics, DNA and first responder training and procedures.

Source WBAL

Baltimore Man Arrested In Connection To Several Sexual Assaults


Baltimore Police have arrested and charged 22-year-old Michael Privette with several sexual assaults in Baltimore, two of the incidents occurred in 2013 and two additional incidents occurred last month.
On July 17, 2013, a 47-year-old woman was sexually assaulted inside of an unlicensed taxi cab. The victim told investigators she got into the vehicle in the intersection of Pulaski Street and Baltimore Street. The victim was taken to a location in the 900 block of Dukeland Street where she was sexually assaulted by the suspect.
On August 5, 2013, a 17-year-old female was sitting at a bus stop located at the intersection of Baltimore and Hilton Street when a suspect approached the victim and grabbed her around her neck. The suspect threatened her and then forced her to walk into the alley. The victim was assaulted by the suspect before he fled from the scene.
On August 19, 2015, while passing a parked vehicle, a female jogger was grabbed and forced into a car by the suspect, in the 100 block of West Lafayette Avenue. The suspect was armed with a handgun. The victim was driven around for a period of time, physically threatened and sexually assaulted.
On August 31, 2015, a 26-year-old woman was standing at a bus stop in the 2800 block of Frederick Avenue when a suspect approached her with a knife and ordered her to walk to the rear of that location. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim.
Based on similarities in several of these cases along with DNA comparisons, Michael Privette was arrested on September 2, 2015 and charged with rape, kidnapping, and various sex offense and assault related charges. Between September 2, 2015 and today’s date, detectives worked to link Privette to the additional cases. 
He is currently being held at the Baltimore City Central Booking and Intake Facility on a no bail status.

Source WBAL

Friday, September 18, 2015

Arson Suspected In Deadly East Baltimore Apartment Fire.


One person is dead after an apartment fire early Friday in northeast Baltimore.
City fire officials said the two-alarm fire began just after 3:30 a.m. in the 5200 block of Frankford Avenue.
Fire crews had to rescue six people and one person was taken to the hospital. Seven families were displaced because of the blaze.
Baltimore City police spokesman T.J. Smith said arson is suspected as the cause of the fire.
The American Red Cross has also responded to the scene and are working to help displaced residents with emergency need such as food, clothing, shoes and transportation. 
Red Cross spokeswoman Brittany Fowler said they are working with the apartment building's management company to help provide shelter to those that have been displaced by the fire.
Anyone with information of on the case are asked to call Baltimore City Police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.

Source WBAL

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Frederick Douglass High School Student Charged With Attempted Murder After Beating Up Classmate


Baltimore City public schools say a teen has been arrested with attempted murder after a fight which was recorded and posted on social media that left a student injured.
School officials said the fight took place around noon Wednesday in the cafeteria at Frederick Douglass High School between two male students. The video shows one of the students, Sean Johnson, 17, repeatedly punching the other one.
The second student can been seen on the ground and bleeding before appearing to have a seizure. Other students can be seen recording watching the violence as it unfolded.
Both students are football players at Douglass High School. Charging documents show the fight began when Johnson approached his teammate in the cafeteria while he had lunch, asking him if he stole his visor from his football helmet. The victim denied stealing Johnson's visor, and then the fight broke out. 
The charging documents show Johnson began punching his victim in the face, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious. A witness tells police several staff members immediately responded, attempting to break up the fight and the crowd of students that were standing on tables around the incident. At that time, the witness states, they noticed the victim was having "a seizure while lying in a pool of his own blood." 
The witness tells police the victim regained consciousness, but was still unresponsive. 
School officials said the injured student was taken to Shock Trauma and the other student was taken into custody by city school police and transported to the Department of Juvenile Services. 
The injured student is considered stable and has been transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center, school officials said. 
School police were notified by the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office that Johnson was transferred overnight from to the Central Booking Intake Facility and has been charged as an adult with attempted murder.

Source WBAL

Baltimore County To Deploy Police Body Cameras By July 2016


Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Police Chief Jim Johnson announced a plan to equip police officers with body cameras Thursday afternoon. 
"We believe that body cameras on our police officers are going to improve public safety," Kamenetz stated during a press conference. "Body cameras are going to reduce complaints of officer misconduct."
He also said he believes body cameras will improve the prosecution for police misconduct cases. He said he believes body cameras will improve the relationship between police and the community.
"The technology is there," he said. "We're going to find the funding to make this happen."
The Baltimore County Police Department is expected to equip 1,435 officers with body cameras by 2017. The first 150 body-worn cameras are scheduled for deployment in July 2016. Police say they will be deployed equally throughout the 10 precincts to officers in a variety of assignments. The remainder is scheduled for deployment in July 2017. 
The first five years of the program will cost $7.1 million.

Source WBAL

Woman Files Assault Charge Against Chris Brown


A woman has filed 3rd degree assault charges against Chris Brown, alleging she was forcibly removed from his tour bus and had her cell phone broken.
The incident occurred Monday, September 14, outside Platinum 84 Gentleman's Club in Denver where Chris, French Montana and Fetty Wap were shooting a new music video.


TMZ reports that there was a strict no cell phone policy in place to prevent anyone from leaking footage or photos from the shoot.
In video footage shot after the incident the woman can be seen quickly exiting the bus. Later on she can be seen picking up a phone off of the ground.


Police are calling Brown and his entourage "persons of interest." They would like to interview them.

Maryland Governor Hogan Visits Camden Yards To Fight Childhood Cancer


Gov. Larry Hogan stopped by Camden Yards to help the Baltimore Orioles in the fight against childhood cancer.
Wearing an Adam Jones jersey, Hogan posed for pictures in front of the mound Wednesday night before Baltimore faced Boston.
The governor helped hold up a check for $50,000 that the Orioles contributed toward the cause. He was surrounded by children representing the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Hogan is currently undergoing chemotherapy to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which was diagnosed in June.
The governor says his condition intensified his effort to make a difference in eradicating pediatric cancer.
He says, "It's a whole new job for me. These kids are literally fighting for their lives."
Hogan says he has two rounds of chemotherapy remaining.

Source WBAL

Baltimore Police Investigate Five Overnight Shootings, One Fatal


One person was killed and four others were wounded in five shootings overnight in Baltimore.
Police said Dante Lamont Barnes, 31, was shot in the head around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday in the 1000 block of N. Kenwood Avenue He was declared dead at the scene.
Police said they are also investigating four shootings. 
A 25-year-old man was shot in the arm around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 4700 block of Beaufort Avenue. A 23-year-old man was shot in the stomach and leg around 10 p.m. in the 2300 block of Calverton Heights Avenue. A 31-year-old man was shot in the foot around 10:15 p.m. in the 5900 block of Belair Road. Investigators said he was walking when he was shot. And a 40-year-old man was shot around 3:05 a.m. Thursday in the 900 block of N. Calhoun St. The victim, who walked into an area hospital, told police he was walking when someone came up and shot him.
Each of the final four victims were being treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone with information on these shootings is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Source WBAL