BALTIMORE — One year ago, gunshots rang out at a celebration in the Brooklyn Homes community. Two young adults, Kylis Fagbemi and Aaliyah Gonzalez, died, and 28 others were shot.
"This tragic incident is another glaring, unfortunate example of the deep issues of violence in Baltimore, in Maryland, in this country, particularly gun violence," Mayor Brandon Scott told reporters in the shooting's aftermath last July.
After the shooting, Baltimore City Council held hearings, with testimony from several city agencies, to get to the bottom of what happened.
READ MORE: Looking for answers after the Brooklyn Day mass shooting
Richard Worley, then acting commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, admitted the department's failure to adequately prepare for the Brooklyn Day celebration.
"From what we've learned so far, this was an even greater breakdown of communication and judgment that is absolutely unacceptable," Worley told the council on July 13, 2023.
A police after-action report, released nearly two months after the shooting, admitted as much; the report says officer indifference may have contributed to the poor response.
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Last week, after an internal investigation lasting about a year, we learned twelve BPD members, including eight sworn, would be charged administratively for their action or inaction. None of the members were named.
In May, three teens entered guilty pleas on handgun charges. Two of them were also convicted of first-degree assault.
READ MORE: Three teens plead guilty, sentenced for role in Brooklyn Day mass shooting
Another suspect, Tristan Brian Jackson, is facing more than 40 charges in connection to the shooting, including conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted murder.
No one has been charged with the murder of Gonzalez or Fagbemi.
Scott and Worley each released statements commemorating the one-year anniversary.
“One year after the horrific mass shooting at Brooklyn Homes, the scars and trauma that it caused continue to ripple through our entire city. The tragedy shook our community to its core, forever impacted families, and irreversibly altered lives."
"As we mark the year anniversary of the worst mass shooting in our city’s history, our hearts are first and foremost with those we lost, Aaliyah and Kylis, their families, those who were injured, and those who suffered wounds we may not be able to physically see. We share in their grief, their anger, and their desire to ensure that nothing like this happens again."
"The Brooklyn community – and our City as a whole – will never be the same. In the wake of this tragedy, we built so many deep and enduring relationships that will help redefine the story of Baltimore. Through our neighborhood stabilization work and the partnerships forged with residents and community-based organizations, we will continue to heal together."
“Today we take time to reflect and remember those whose lives were lost due to this terrible incident. My heart continues to be with the families, the Brooklyn neighborhood and our entire city that was impacted by this tragedy.
In the past year, the Department has continued to improve and made significant progress in addressing the key findings of the After-Action Review, while also strengthening our relationship with the communities that we serve and, most importantly, continually striving to do better. Together, we are building trust and working to create a safer Baltimore for all.
While we have made several arrests of those responsible for this incident, the investigation continues and we are working closer than ever with all our partners to combat violence in Baltimore and to ensure the safety of all who live, visit and enjoy our great city.”
