Dion Smith was a beacon of hope for his family and friends. He worked for years at the Kids Safe Zone in West Baltimore to make a difference.
Ericka Alston-Buck, the Penn North Kids Safe Zone CEO fondly remembered Dion Wednesday.
"He was always happy, always smiling, always joking," said Penn North CEO, Ericka-Alston Buck.
She was saddened to hear of the 24-year-old's death, a man who had such an impact on the young people at the Safe Zone. She said if the kids couldn't talk to anyone else, they could talk to Dion.
"He was hope for them," Alston-Buck said. "Because he had come from where they came from, he understood the conditions that they live in, he understood not being with your parents, or not having."
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Dion was gunned down in his apartment in yet another act of senseless violence in the city. His own brother got to the call. No. 173 on the city's homicide count.
I am not angry," Baltimore Police Department spokesperson Chief T.J. Smith said. "I am upset that he is not gonna have a life to lead and I know what he wanted to know."
Investigators are working to find Dion's killer. Anyone with information is asked to call police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.
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