Cousin Of Mayor Rawlings-Blake Fatally Shot In Home Invasion
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Murder too close to home. The cousin of Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is shot and killed during a home invasion robbery.
Rochelle Ritchie has more.
Police tell WJZ they do not have anyone in custody and are still looking for the people responsible for killing the relative of the city's highest ranking official.
The search is on for who shot the cousin of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, 20-year-old Joseph Haskins.
"Joseph was absolutely wonderful. I took care of him when he was a small kid," said Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson, family friend.
The mayor's cousin was found with multiple gunshot wounds at a home on the 4100 block of Ethland Avenue, near Forest Park Golf Course.
"This completely breaks our heart," said Wilson.
Baltimore City Police say he stopped at a house just blocks from his home when three suspects ran in with guns and began shooting.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake issued this statement on the murder of her cousin, saying:
"This is a tragedy for my entire family. Senseless gun violence affects the lives of too many people here in Baltimore, and in cities and communities across America."
Residents who live next door to where Haskins was killed say no one is invincible.
"No one is above crime or something happening to them and their families, whether you are the mayor or the governor, we are all at risk in this city," said Janice Walker, neighbor.
Haskins was within walking distance of his home. Family and friends say he was the father of a two month old baby girl.
Neighbors call the area a close knit community. Some say they watched Haskins go from a boy to a man and say he couldn't have been the target.
"He wasn't a troublemaker or anything like that if you want to put it that way. He wasn't even built that way. Just lets you know how society is going these days, anything can happen anytime," said Bee Carter, neighbor.
Baltimore City Police say they are looking for three suspects. They also say one of the gunmen may have been wearing a mask.
Haskins' father is the pastor of John Wesley United Methodist Church. The mayor is asking for her family's privacy during this difficult time.
