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Suspect in Lor Scoota Murder Is Fatally Shot

BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ)-- Someone gunned down a person of interest in the high-profile murder of Baltimore rapper Lor Scoota.

This is a pattern that has repeated itself over and over in Baltimore--"An eye for an eye"-- whoever shot Cortez Mitchell believed they were doing it in the name of rapper Lor Scoota and the cycle of violence may not be over.

Lor scoota was considered one of Baltimore's most promising young rappers on the cusp of making it big, before someone gunned him down as he left a peace rally in northeast Baltimore in June.

Now, the same thing has happened to a person of interest in Scoota's killing: 22-year-old Cortez Mitchell, who was shot multiple times as he drove down Monroe Street Monday afternoon.

"We know that we're looking at the right people. It's sad the streets got to him before we could," said Baltimore City Police spokesman T. J. Smith.

Police say Mitchell was one of four persons of interest in Scoota's murder, two remain on the street and one is currently in jail.

"This is part of that revolving-door violence where retaliatory violence is taking its toll on young people who have to really recognize the danger that they put themselves in," said Smith.

We know why Mitchell was killed here, but police have not said why they considered him a person of interest in Lor Scoota's murder.

Mitchell's relatives declined comment to WJZ.

Related Story: Clues Sought In Killing of Rising Baltimore Rapper 'Lor Scoota'

"What hurts me the most is when I see someone in a casket that I held or took to the store when they were a little child,"said Pastor Keith Bailey, who  is the Fulton Heights Community Association president in west Baltimore and has worked with countless young people, including Freddie Gray. "I worry every day about our young people."

There are numerous bullet holes in the car Mitchell was driving. WJZ  found Mitchell had a lengthy criminal record that included gun and drug charges. Police have not said whether they have any persons of interest in his killing.

"It's sadly a race against the clock. It's either the streets are coming after you or we're coming after you," said Smith.

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