Family demands justice in murder of pregnant Baltimore woman after suspect arrested
BALTIMORE -- The family of 19-year-old Jaymyra Burrell, who was shot and killed in Northwest Baltimore last December, gathered Monday to call for justice.
Malik McCormick, 22, was arrested on July 1 in connection to the shooting after a traffic stop in South Charleston, West Virginia.
He is charged with First Degree Murder and various handgun violations.
The press conference was led by Thiru Vignarajah, who is serving as the family's attorney.
"We are here today because Jaymyra did not deserve what happened to her," said Eddie Duffin, Burrell's uncle. "...We do not want this case to be pushed to the side."
On December 5, 2022, at around 3:02 a.m., officers responded to the 5600 block of Woodmont Avenue for a reported shooting. There, they found Burrell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
"At the time, we were planning for her baby shower. We then had to turn around and bury her," Duffin said. "We don't want it to be just a number. We want justice. Justice for Jay."
Medics responded and transported the Burrell to an area hospital, where she died a short time later.
"She was the life of the party. She brought a smile to everyone's face. She also cared deeply. She was an active member first of her youth ministry, and then her adult ministry. She gave back, she was a participant in mentoring programs..." "The world didn't get a chance to see this bright candle burn," Vignarajah said.
Charging documents in the case show Burrell was shot nine times and a witness told detectives McCormick admitted to the murder.
McCormick is due in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Tuesday, which marks what would have been Burrell's 20th birthday, is also the preliminary hearing for the man accused of shooting her.
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