Violence Prevention Officer ‘Great Loss’ Killed in East Baltimore Mass Shooting – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – A young father who works for a violence prevention program was among three people killed in Wednesday night’s mass shooting in East Baltimore.

Memorial to the victims of last night’s shooting on the E. #Baltimore @wjz pic.twitter.com/lCR4C18Tup

– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 20, 2022

The flash of gunfire that witnesses said appeared to have come from an automatic weapon rang out just before 7:30 p.m. at Monument and Port Street. In total, four people were shot.

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WJZ coroner Mike Hellgren confirmed that DaShawn McGrier was among the deceased. He was a violent interloper who was on duty with the Safe Streets program at the time. Safe Streets uses people in the community to mediate disputes before they turn violent.

The deaths have stunned those who knew the victims. A friend told Hellgren they were “nice people but they don’t deserve this. Violence is out of control”.

Violence is not directed at DaShawn; He is a loving father to his family. He attended day school for welding and is expected to graduate in April. He already has a small child. @wjz

– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 20, 2022

Living Classroom, which runs the Safe Streets program, told WJZ that McGrier was in his place when he was shot and they don’t believe he was specifically targeted – that the violence was attempted. aimed at him.

They say he is a loving father, passionate about making his community safer.

“DaShawn is a friend, colleague, son, brother, and – most importantly to him – a devoted and present father to his young child,” the organization said. in a statement. “Our Safe Streets team has suffered a tremendous loss, underscoring the enormous need for effective violent interventions in Baltimore. A citywide Safe Streets response is planned for Saturday. ”

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“DaShawn has been actively involved in creating a better life for himself and his community. He is attending North American Trade School by day to learn welding and will graduate in April. By night, he has worked with the Safe Streets McElderry Park team to reduce shootings and homicides by how to use an evidence-based community-oriented violent intervention model”.

McGrier was also the victim of a brutal beating at the hands of a Baltimore police officer in 2018 that caused a national stir. Officials service time after the bar for the attack that sent McGrier to the hospital.

McGrier was among those shot dead in a mass shooting in East Baltimore last night. https://t.co/JA1HxXBg9t @wjz https://t.co/DiO7Ms9ZN7

– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 21, 2022

Haisam Ahmed was inside his business next door when he heard gunfire. He told Hellgren that a police car was parked across the street at the time.

He remembered another victim – known as TJ – and posted a tribute to him on Facebook.

“He’s a great guy. He’s always trying to help people,” said Ahmed.

While the mayor and commissioner both condemned the attack in written statements, they declined to answer camera questions about the violence.

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Anyone with a tip can call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-Lockup.