Community Finishes Fence After Father Is Gunned Down

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--More than 300 people killed in the city of Baltimore.

A staggering number that hasn't been seen in nearly two decades.

Now community members are trying to battle back against what police call a violent crime crisis.

WJZ's Meghan McCorkell has more on what's being done.

A former high school football star.

A father trying to make a life for his children.

A 16-year-old girl known for her beautiful smile.

Some of the faces of the hundreds of people murdered in Baltimore city this year, as violence continues to spiral.

"We just can't accept violence and we can't accept the taking of such an innocent productive life," said Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

More than 300 have been killed, the highest number since the 1990's.

"We all have to get involved. We all have to participate in what's going on in the community and we all have to help our police enforcement," said Sharon Middleton, Baltimore City Council.

As the city reaches this grim milestone, community members come together to honor a recent murder victim.

Dozens of people came out Sunday to finish building the fence Kendal Fenwick started to put up around his house.

Family members say the 24-year old father was gunned down after a dispute with drug dealers about that fence.

"It was his way to keep his family safe. It was his way to stop the drug dealers from going back and forth through his yard," said Ivan Bates.

Now, post by post the community has finished what he started.

"This is our way of honoring somebody who honored everybody else by always trying to do what was right," said David Johnson.

Wood and nail, this community finishes the fence and hopes it sends a message to those causing harm.

No one has been arrested for the murder of Kendal Fenwick, but the commissioner says it is a very active investigation.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she will seek federal assistance to curb the violence during a meeting on Monday with the U.S. Attorney General.