Posted on 06/15/23
| News Source: WBAL
The U.S. Justice Department pledged more partnerships with local and state law enforcement to help crack down on summer crime, including here in Baltimore.
"We will be reinforcing the importance of identifying, investigating and prioritizing the prosecution of those who are responsible for the greatest violence in our communities," said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
That commitment followed a violent night in west Baltimore. Police said Cornelius Williams, 23, barricaded himself inside an apartment on Poplar Grove Street. He allegedly shot a 57-year-old man before peacefully surrendering.
"The city is erupting. It's too much violence," said resident Davon Fletcher. "The judicial system and the government branches, they can't do anything, because it takes people these kids can relate to in order to mentor them."
That's where city leaders hope Mayor Brandon Scott's Group Violence Reduction Strategy will step in.
Baltimore City is seeing fewer murders and non-fatal shootings compared to this time last year, but the numbers are still high. The city has seen 126 homicides compared to 155 this time last year, and 272 non-fatal shootings compared to 298 in 2022.