Baltimore Police Search For Suspects Who Killed Mayor's Cousin
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- City police were canvassing Forest Park neighborhoods in northwest Baltimore Tuesday in search of leads to a May 8 murder.
Pat Warren reports although police won't admit it, finding this killer may have special significance.
A home invasion in the 4100-block of Ethland Street on the night of May 8 killed 20-year-old Joseph Haskins.
"The best tool we have is the public," said Detective Vernon Davis.
Haskins is a cousin of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Tuesday, police went door to door, searching for leads.
"We're looking for any witnesses that may have witnessed anything or heard anything. We're appealing to the community to help us solve this crime," said Lt. Michael Newton.
According to police, Haskins was in the home when as many as three intruders entered the house, announced a robbery and shot him, killing him. That happened around 11:30 p.m.; he was pronounced dead at 2:20 a.m.
In a statement, Mayor Rawlings-Blake called it a tragedy for her entire family. "Senseless gun violence affects the lives of too many people here in Baltimore and in cities and communities across America," she said.
Police Tuesday refused to comment on the victim's relationship to the mayor, but neighbors spoke out immediately after the killing.
"Joseph was absolutely wonderful, wonderful. I took care of him when he was a small kid," said Dr. Stacy Cole Wilson, a family friend.
"No one is above crime or something happening to them in their families, whether you're the mayor or the governor. We are all at risk," said neighbor Janice Walker.
"It just lets you know how society's going these days. Anything can happen anytime," said Bee Carter.
And like any other community in this city, neighbors won't rest easy until the killer is caught.
Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers. For more information, click here.
