In the midst a violent weekend with five overnight shootings in Baltimore, people gathered for a 'Peacemaker' training to spark change in gun violence prevention.
The training brought together community organizers interested in gun violence prevention. It's purpose was to provide attendees with solutions, leadership skills and tangible steps to utilize in their activism.
"We can't forget about our neighbors in our backyard in Baltimore who are dying every single day because of gun violence," Executive director of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, Elizabeth Banach, said.
There have been 204 homicides in Baltimore in the 259 days of 2018; a number that's down by around 50 compared to last year's record high.
As for the weekend violence, the first happened at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday, when officers were called to the 4500 block of Edmondson Avenue to investigate a reported shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found a 28-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital.
The second shooting happened at about 11:50 p.m., when officers were called to the fire station that’s located in the 3900 block of Liberty Heights Avenue because a reported shooting victim was seeking treatment. When officers made it to the location, they found a 21-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was transported to an area hospital for treatment and the victim told detectives that she was shot while walking in the 3200 block of Chelsea Terrace.
Police say the next shooting happened early Sunday morning at about 4:25 a.m. in the 2700 block of Garrison Boulevard. After arriving, officers came across a 34-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds.
The next shooting was reported just after 6:00 a.m. when offers were called to an area hospital to investigate a walk-in shooting victim that was seeking treatment. When officers arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand.
After assuming control of the investigation, the victim ended up revealing to Citywide Shooting detectives that he was walking in the 1200 block of Division Street when he was shot.
The final shooting happened at 8:35 a.m. in the 2700 block of Baker Street. Officers found a 22-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Baltimore Police Department Citywide Shooting detectives at (410) 396-2221. Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
Baltimore Ceasefire is hosting an anti-gun violence meeting Tuesday at the Open Society Institute to develop a multi-year campaign to reduce this type of violence in the city.
