Shooting at hotel near Johns Hopkins Hospital leaves woman dead, police say

BALTIMORE - A woman died after she was shot at a hotel near Johns Hopkins Hospital early Sunday in Southeast Baltimore, police said.

Officers were called to the 800 block of North Wolfe Street around 1:30 a.m. where they found an unresponsive woman. 

The woman - later identified as 28-year-old Kierra Tripp - was pronounced dead on the scene, officers said. 

The only hotel on the block is the Residence Inn by Marriott. 

"It's alarming, especially right there where you are at," said Barry, a man who stayed at the hotel. "That's very concerning and very alarming."

Barry said he didn't hear any gunshots but woke up to several investigators on his hotel floor, combing for evidence. He said he saw several detectives going in and out of a room.

"They engaged me in the hallway," he said. "I was leaving to move my vehicle and the officer said, 'I need your ID and all this other stuff. We have a situation here.'"

Barry said he was told there was a crime scene inside the hotel.

"Sad situation," Barry said. "Not that type of environment you'd expect that to happen especially at a secured hotel. You need a pass to get upstairs. You can't just walk up and go on the elevator."

Clyde Nelson, who walks his dog around the hotel at least three times a day, said the crime investigation was a surprise.

"Not knowing is a little disturbing because I don't know if it was random or targeted or whatever," Nelson said. "So, that makes me go on guard."

Nelson, who lives near the hotel, said North Wolfe Street is a busy road with steady traffic. However, he said it's not known for violence.

"Pretty much, it's quiet," he said. "I have yet to have any trouble. As far as shootings and stuff like that, it's usually further up."

WJZ reached out to Johns Hopkins. A spokesperson had no comment on the investigation.

Anyone with information on the shooting should call police at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.