GLEN BURNIE, Md. — Dozens of people gathered in Glen Burnie for a candle light vigil and a call to action for a man who police say was shot and killed by his neighbor in their apartment complex.
Members of the United Black Clergy teamed with community organizations in the Anne Arundel County area to bring awareness to the death of 22-year-old Tyrique Hudson who, after attempting to file a restraining order against his neighbor, 56-year-old James Verombeck, was found dead.
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“I am tired, we are tired, of our young men and women falling to the hands of those who turn to gun violence,” Apostle Larry Lee Thomas, Sr., President of the United Black Clergy and well established voice for justice in Anne Arundel County.
Now, a petition with almost 10,000 signatures is calling for the judge who denied Hudson's restraining order to resign.
READ MORE: Thousands call for resignation of judge who denied Glen Burnie homicide victim's restraining order
It was a request that was denied by Judge Devy Patterson Russell because the order “didn't meet the required burden of proof”.
Carl Snowden, with the Caucus of African American Leaders, along with the people who signed the online petition to have Patterson removed as a judge, said she made a terrible decision.
“When the judge asks the man who murdered this young brother, 'why do you believe he’s videotaping you?' And he gives an answer that’s disjointed, it’s clear he’s confused and that he’s got a problem,” said Snowden.
Hudson was a graduate of North Carolina A&T University.
His mother prepares to bury her only child in their hometown in North Carolina — she watched the vigil from the phone held by Thomas — as hundreds of people came to show their love.
“She was very proud of his accomplishments, and all I could remember that he lived what I call an accelerated life,” Apostle Thomas said. “To accomplish so much in such a short period of time.”
Hudson's friend Phil said he was a humble and proud nerd. He was excited to go see the new Marvel Avengers movie this weekend. His favorite super hero was Spider-Man.
“I saw him as being a Tony Stark," Phil said, referring to the protagonist who becomes Iron Man. "He had a beautiful mind."
De Lorma Goodwyn, with the Caucus of African American Leaders, said her heart told her to come out.
“I too had a son," Goodwyn said. "I lost my son, so it hurt, and it brought back memories.”
The incident is moving a community to ask what more could have been done.
The Commission on Judicial Disabilities recommended Judge Russell be suspended for six months, barring the state's Court of Appeals decision into how Russell is said to have behaved in District Court.
The court of appeals has not made a decision on the recommendation from the Commission on Judicial Disabilities. The Court of Appeals has until later this year to do so, meaning Russell is still on the bench.
Verombeck is in jail and was denied bond. He's expected back in court in May.
Hudson's funeral is set for this Saturday in his hometown in North Carolina.
