Teen Among 2 Dead After Multiple Shootings Overnight
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Six shooting victims and two deaths in one city. Those shootings were all within two hours; one of the victims was just 13.
Marcus Washington reports there's a group providing a light of hope in the darkness of crime surrounding children and adults in the city.
There were two victims on Pennsylvania Avenue. A 21-year-old is recovering, but it as a different story for the 13-year-old. Police say Deandre Barnes was identified at the medical examiner's office by his family.
"We say it again and again and that redundancy is purposeful. We do need the public's help. We do need people to come forward. This is a 13-year-old. He's supposed to have fun this summer. He's supposed to be out playing and he's gone. His family needs justice and they need closure," said Baltimore City Police Detective Nicole Monroe.
On the heels of five different shooting locations and two deaths within two hours Friday night was a beat of hope. For the second year, the Stop the Violence rally was just blocks from recent shootings.
"It teaches them they can be whatever they want to be and they can go where they want to go. They are not limited by their surroundings and they are not a product of their environment," said Tikia Neblett, Baltimore City Entertainers.
From the Baltimore City Entertainers and beyond, these bands are the pulse of hope for kids and even adults in communities so often surrounded by crime and violent deaths.
"Positive reinforcement to the youth so we're trying to get them off the streets, give them other things to do," said Michael Davis, Baltimore All-Stars.
To keep people out of trouble, these bands practice, take trips and travel to competitions throughout the country. Their goal is simple: keep kids busy with something positive and wrap them with love.
"Although it's a community organization, ti is a family-orientated group," Davis said.
If you have any information on the recent shootings, you can call Crime Stoppers and remain anonymous.