Following Saturday night's deadly mass shooting, many Maryland leaders released statements regarding the incident.
Mayor Brandon Scott, MONSE and Baltimore Police released a joint statement:
“In the early morning hours of July 2, a horrific mass shooting occurred at Brooklyn Homes in South Baltimore. At this time, two people have been killed and 28 others injured, leaving three people in critical condition. My heart is with those who lost their lives, all those who are now battling injuries, and their loved ones. This community should also know that they have our wholehearted support during this unimaginably difficult time. This act of violence has shaken our city to the very core, and we are all grappling with the shock, pain, and trauma that accompanies such a heinous act of destruction.
“This investigation is ongoing, and we will not rest until the people responsible are held accountable. This tragedy again shows why we must continue to focus on the amount of illegal guns on our streets that make it into the hands of individuals who should not have them and continuously carry out violent acts in our city. There must be accountability at each level of the illegal gun trade from those using them, those trafficking them to those who manufacture them in ways they know will lead to violence. I’m asking that anyone who has information on who committed this cowardly, violent act to come forward and help us secure justice for the Brooklyn community.
“To support residents of South Baltimore during this time, my office has stood up immediate resources in and surrounding the Brooklyn Homes area. Today, the Brooklyn Homes Community Center will serve as a central place for various city agencies to provide residents immediate aid and services.
“My Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) will immediately begin their work activating a Coordinated Neighborhood Stabilization Response within this community, focused on addressing trauma and stabilizing the neighborhood in partnership with community-based organizations and City agencies.
“In the coming days, our community will undoubtedly be faced with grief, questions, and the need for answers. I assure you that the Baltimore Police Department, MONSE, and every other city agency is working diligently to investigate, engage residents, and keep everyone informed of additional pertinent information when it becomes available.”
Senate President Bill Ferguson also spoke on the incident:
Waking up to the horrible news that 30 people were shot at a gathering overnight in the district. This is well beyond gut-wrenching, it's a worst-case nightmare.
Gun violence like this is so devastating, especially when it involves young people in our City. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and our entire community as we seek to learn more this morning.
Right now, the Baltimore Police Department is swiftly investigating this mass shooting, and City officials are making sure victims and families have the care they need. If anyone has any information at all about this horrible event, now is the time to reach out to the Baltimore Police Department.
No matter what, the State of Maryland can and must do whatever possible in partnership with the City of Baltimore to help solve the underlying root causes of the gun violence epidemic in our community.
Bill Ferguson
Governor Wes Moore followed up stating that "Maryland has had enough of watching gun violence continue to ravage our state and nation."
“Last night, we saw yet another mass shooting strike our community where a celebratory gathering turned deadly. My heart breaks for these victims, their families, and the Baltimore community that is coping with the loss.
Maryland has had enough of watching gun violence continue to ravage our state and our nation. The fact that these horrific shootings continue to take place is abominable. We as a state will continue to do everything we can to prevent senseless acts of violence like the one we saw last night.
We are grateful for the actions of the first responders who jumped quickly into action and are confident that our law enforcement officials will swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. My administration is in close touch with local officials and will provide whatever resources are needed to assist.
To the loved ones of these Marylanders, I am so sorry for your loss. You deserve better and we will work together to bring you just that. You have my word.”
He also added that public safety is his top priority of as Governor:
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. To the victims and community reeling from the mass shooting in Baltimore, know that our state stands with you. Our administration is working with local officials to provide needed resources and ensure accountability.
Public safety is my top priority as Governor. In partnership with our local jurisdictions, we are acting to address violent crime and ensure people’s safety by removing illegal guns from our streets, holding offenders accountable, and increasing opportunity to prevent violence.
Governor Wes Moore
Council President Nick Mosby said that all Baltimoreans need to unite and stand against violence in communities.
-My heart breaks for the lives lost and all affected by the senseless violence that occurred in South Baltimore last evening.
As Baltimoreans, we must unite to stand against violence in our communities and understand that each and every life in our city is precious, valuable, and essential.
The residents of Brooklyn Park deserve to live in a safe community and not wake up today after what was to be a day of celebration, faced with trauma, pain, and loss. All the violence in my beloved city breaks my heart, as I imagine it does yours.
I implore all those with information that can help police apprehend the perpetrators of this callous act, to please step forward and contact BPD Homicide detectives at (410) 396-2100 or if you wish to remain anonymous call the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1 (866) 7LOCKUP.
Council President Nick Mosby
State's Attorney Ivan Bates says that homicide prosecutors have been in close contact with detectives and are providing support and assistance as needed.
Statement on Mass Shooting in South Baltimore"On behalf of the Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City (BCSAO), we are profoundly saddened and outraged by the tragic events that unfolded earlier today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families affected by this senseless violence. But we need more than thoughts and prayers; we need policy and change in Maryland, particularly Baltimore. A policy that helps us hold repeat violent offenders accountable and reduces the number of illegal firearms in our communities.
"A mass shooting occurred in our city, resulting in the injury of 30 individuals and the loss of at least two innocent lives. This shocking incident could have happened to any of us celebrating in our communities this holiday weekend. The immense pain and grief felt throughout our city today is palpable. My office and I stand with those impacted by this tragedy and offer our support in any way we can.
"Our homicide prosecutors have been in close contact with BPD Detectives and are providing support and assistance as needed. Additionally, our Victim/Witness coordinators and Community Engagement Team are canvassing the community to ensure residents are aware of available resources and how to access them.
"We must unite as a city and support one another in such times. I encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to reach out for assistance, whether it is emotional support, counseling, or any other form of help they may require. My office will collaborate with local organizations and coordinate resources to provide the necessary support, including relocation support. I call upon the public to provide authorities with any information about this tragic event. If you have information about this shooting, contact BPD Homicide Detectives. Those who wish to remain anonymous can use the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1 (866) 7LOCKUP." - Ivan J. Bates, State's Attorney
Ivan J. Bates, State's Attorney
President of the Randallstown NAACP spoke on what he feels need to be done following the shooting.
Randallstown, MD-President Ryan Coleman released the following statement on the Mass Shooting in Baltimore.
“I want to send our prayers and thoughts to all of the families touched in this unacceptable mass shooting. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the trauma inflicted on all Baltimoreans, especially people of color.
Martin Luther King said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ This violence affects all Marylanders and we must find solutions to end the bloodshed.
It takes remarkable fortitude to remain an optimist about Baltimore today. Baltimore’s ills — it's blight, suburban flight, segregation, drugs, racial inequality, concentrated poverty and inability to find solutions to basic problems.
Explaining all this to people outside Baltimore is difficult, not only because the experience is alien to others—------as they are not experiencing this level of violence or the response to this violence.. Baltimore has more murders, shootings and carjackings than New York City. New York has a population of over 8 million people. Baltimore has a population of under 580,000 people. How can you explain this... how can this be! They have poverty, they have structured racism, they have illegal guns. We must find the reasons and make Baltimore and the region safer!
The Randallstown NAACP offers these solutions:
1/ Focus on clearing the 40,000 warrants with expanding the WATF. To create another task force run by the State Police. To have a third warrant task force specifically focused on Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County and Harford County staffed by the state police and these jurisdictions.
2/ Make it a felony for illegal possession of a gun. 3/ Find solutions to violent repeat offenders.
4/ Begin gun courts to quickly and efficiently move these cases through the justice systems.
5/ Create a gun violence suppression task force that is heavily supervised, works under the Constitution of the United States and de-emphasizes low level arrests.
6/ For the Department of Parole and Probation to ensure individuals do not become repeat offenders.
Lastly, and most importantly, we all must work together everyday to interrupt and stop the killing of Black Americans.
Baltimore City Public Schools issued the following statement:
City Schools is deeply saddened by the shooting in the Brooklyn Park area. We are working alongside the City of Baltimore to provide mental health supports to the community. Baltimore Monse staff and other organizational partners will be based at the Brooklyn Homes Community Center for community members who may need mental health supports, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through July 7. City Schools also provided additional clinical staff at Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School on Monday, July 3. For those individuals unable to access the supports at the community center please feel free to reach out to one of the following resources: · Roberta’s House 410 235-6633 · Here2Help Hotline 410 433-5175 · Suicide Prevention 988 · 211Maryland
