Two killed in camera-filled 7-Eleven parking lot in Northeast Baltimore: "It's a war"

BALTIMORE -- Police have yet to identify the victims or any suspects in a deadly double shooting Wednesday night outside a 7-Eleven in Northeast Baltimore.

Officers responded shortly before 10 p.m. to the 4400 block of Bel Air Road, where they found two men suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds, police said. 

Both men were hospitalized, but one of the victims died that night. Police confirmed Thursday morning that the second victim died. 

Video captured by WJZ shows the bullet holes that pierced the windows of a white Dodge Charger sedan.

Clothing and debris were scattered on the pavement near the store's entrance.

There was a police presence nearby on Thursday, but few were talking.

Vernon, who declined to share his last name, is the exception. WJZ spoke to him just feet from where the two were shot.

"I'm just talking on what's going on, on this plague in our city," he told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. "That's sad. Definitely condolences to the families. It's just ridiculous. People are losing their life left and right in this city."

His family is from Belair-Edison.

"When my mom was younger, she said they would just fight. Yeah, things are definitely getting worse. It's a culture," he said. "…I lost a cousin around here. I lost family members."

The 7-Eleven shooting happened despite police cameras and lights in the parking lot. 

"A camera won't stop someone from getting killed underneath it," Vernon said. 

There is some positive news in Baltimore City.

Since the start of the year, homicides are down 22 percent compared to this time last year, from 27 to 21.

Non-fatal shootings are down 17 percent, from 47 to 39.

That follows 20 percent overall reduction in homicides in 2023.

This year, the city will expand its holistic Group Violence Reduction Strategy to central and east Baltimore. 

It has already targeted more than 130 people with intensive services—to keep them from a life of crime.