Police: Patterson High School student shot, killed at nearby park in Southeast Baltimore

BALTIMORE - A Patterson High School student was shot and killed Monday afternoon at a park in Southeast Baltimore.

Police responded around 2 p.m. to nearby Joseph E. Lee Park, in the 5900 block of Pratt Street, where they found a minor who had been shot in the head.

The student was taken to the hospital where he died.

School officials said Patterson High School will not have classes on Tuesday.

Police said multiple witnesses told officers they heard gunshots, and then several people run away in different directions.

Several backpacks were lying on the ground at the scene.     

"What we need to know is who was with the student, why they were in the park at this hour prior to the release of  school and anything they saw, heard or know about this situation in this playground so we can hold these individuals accountable for yet another student, yet another young person, yet another student at a Baltimore City school," Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said.

Harrison said police are canvassing a large area of the park for evidence.

At this time, officers don't have a person of interest.

"The investigation will hopefully inform us of the motive and why it happened," Harrison said. "Right now, we are processing this extremely large scene and begging someone comes forward."

"This is a deep tragedy for this community, this school," Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen added. "This is another call for us to commit ourselves to how to resolve conflict in a way that doesn't end with blood shed."

This is another deadly shooting in 2023 that involved a Baltimore City Public School student.

In January, 16-year-old Deanta Dorsey, a student at Edmondson-Westside High School, was killed during lunch time at nearby Edmondson Village Shopping Center.

D'Asia Garrison, a 17-year-old, was the first murder victim in 2023. 

In late January, Forest Park High freshman LaRon Henderson was murdered near his school.  

"We talk about the prevalence of guns in our area and the ease of access, and yet again, we are talking about young people using guns against other young people," Harrison said. "It has to stop, but it also stops when people who were here, step forward and let us know."

Baltimore City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises said the district has protocols in place to keep students safe during the school hours.

This incident, however, happened before school release, but Patterson High School did have a safe dismissal, despite holding some students back because of the police investigation.

"This  shooting did not occur inside the school building," Santelises said. "There are protocols in place, however, those who have worked with adolescents over long periods of time know that when young people want to find a way out, we cannot have our eyes all in one place."

Dr. Santelises assures the district is using security measures, like surveillance cameras and metal detectors, to keep students safe, but points out students have been going off campus. These latest deadly shootings happening off school grounds.

"Our protocols have been in place and they are operating," Santelises said. "When young people want to find a way out we cannot have our eyes in everyplace at the same time."

This is a developing story.

Police said anyone with information is urged to contact Southeast District Shooting detectives at 410-396-2422. Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCK-UP.   

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott released this statement:

"Earlier today, I was on the scene of a homicide where another young person lost their life to gun violence. Each time a life is lost in Baltimore I feel a deep pain – a pain that only deepens when the life lost was a young person.

Today's loss is tremendous. Another family has lost a loved one; another community has lost a young life; and Baltimore has lost the potential that this young person could have poured into our City. And, while I'm angry and saddened about losing another young person – I am even more determined to do all that I can to stop this trend of youth violence we are seeing.

I want to speak directly to the young people of Baltimore.

You are destined to be great, but you have to find another way to resolve conflict. I want you all to grow into the best version of yourselves, and I will give every ounce of energy in my body to make sure our city provides you with every opportunity to do so. Each of you has the power to create your own narrative. You have the power to write the story of how Baltimore's young people changed our city for the better. But to see the change, you have to be the change. You must take stock of those around you – and ask yourself: Are they trying to go where you want to go? If your circle is not going where you're going – you need to make the tough decision to change your circle. If we are honest, we know that our friends, classmates, teammates, brothers and sisters are being murdered by people they once considered friends.

Considering the nature of this incident, MONSE will partner with City Schools to provide safety and trauma supports for students at Patterson Park High School.

As your Mayor, I am taking immediate actions to address youth violence in our city – and I ask each of you to join me in the fight to save the lives of our city's young people. Just over a month ago, I met with the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Health Department, MONSE, community based partners and others to reignite our partnership to identify youth most at-risk of being victims and/or perpetrators of violence. In partnership with the School Board and City Schools, my Administration will conduct intensive case management to support youth that are identified as most in need of services, as well as their families.

In addition, we will continue the important work of addressing illegal guns. We will continue to go after those who perpetuate violence and those who sell and traffic weapons onto our streets. We will hold manufacturers who bypass gun laws accountable, because every part of this cycle of violence matters.

Baltimore, we will tackle this issue of gun violence – together."