5 Killed, 10 Injured In Weekend Shootings Across Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was another violent weekend in Baltimore. Five people were killed and 10 were injured in shootings throughout the weekend across the city.
Police Commissioner Michael Harrison called the violence "deeply disturbing" and addressed the public Sunday afternoon.
"Just like we said last week when we made 7 arrests for people wanted for murder, and now we are making sure that they are held accountable, we are continuing to work to do that," Harrison said.
Monday morning, Mayor Jack Young addressed the rash of violence, calling it "unacceptable" and asking community stakeholders to come forward with information that leads to arrests in each one of the cases.
"If you want to change, we want to help you change, if you want to continue on with this criminal lifestyle, then we're going to put you away," Young said.
There were 12 shootings on Saturday alone, which killed five people- followed closely by a double shooting Sunday night in southwest Baltimore, marking the 13th shooting of the weekend.
"To the credit of the Baltimore City Police Department they have made some arrests on some of the murders, and that's to show the public that we are serious about bringing those responsible for those murders to justice," Young said.
READ MORE:
- BPD Commissioner Harrison Calls Weekend Violence 'Deeply Disturbing' After 5 Killed, 7 Injured In Saturday Shootings
- Police Investigating Double Shooting In SW Baltimore
- 12 Shot, 5 Fatally In Baltimore On Saturday
- Woman Killed In Baltimore City Triple Shooting
And while the police department has made several arrests, the weekend violence hits particularly close to home for family's affected by gun violence.
"Tariq was 22," said Daphne Alston with Mothers of Murdered Sons & Daughters.
Alston lost her son Tariq nearly 12 years ago.
"He goes to a party one night with his friends," she said.
He was shot at a party in Harford County, and years later his case remains unsolved.
"This is why we continue in a culture of violence because nobody wants to say anything," Alston said.
Alston now volunteers, leading anti-violence programming along with other parents who have lost a child.
This weekend, she met personally with Commissioner Harrison.
"We have to think past policing, we have to get back to humanizing people and loving one another and we have to get back to the morals and values that this country was set upon," Alston said.
Commissioner Harrison said that police are stepping up high visibility foot patrols and are also deploying SWAT, canine and traffic units to affected areas.
