Watch CBS News

Baltimore Sees 100th Homicide In 2011

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A grim milestone in Baltimore City.  There have been 100 murders so far this year.

Adam May reports a family is pleading for witnesses after a military veteran was gunned down in cold blood.

"I have a niece that wants to know where her daddy is," said Joanne Samuel, Christopher Samuel's aunt.

Family and friends held a vigil for Baltimore's 100th murder victim of 2011.

"I just want whoever did this to know that you left my daughter without a father.  You left me without a husband," said his wife.

Christopher Samuel, 24, served in the military.  He did not have a criminal record.

"He always said he was gonna be a good father and take care of his family.  He was never one to get in trouble, never one to walk the streets," said Russel Samuel, Christopher's father.

Late Tuesday night, Samuel was shot in the back in the Upton community of West Baltimore.  Police believe it was a robbery because Samuel was on the phone when he was murdered.

"Whoever he was on the phone said that Christopher said, `I don't have any money so if you kill me, you're not gonna get anything,'" Joanne Samuel said.

Police are not reporting any solid leads in the murder, leaving the family desperate for answers.

"He will be missed and his legacy will live on through his family," said friend Mallory Wright.

"Christopher was such a good man and people are gonna miss him so much.  He was my best friend," said his sister, Adrienne Samuel.

"All I want his justice for him, and I won't give up until we have it," said his wife.

Funeral services are Tuesday at noon at the March Funeral Home on North Avenue.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.