BPD: Suspect Wanted In Deadly Gas Station Shooting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For the third time in recent weeks, deadly violence has been captured on tape on the streets of Baltimore. Police say despite the sheer shock value, it's with good reason they've been releasing the clips to the public.
This latest murder happened at a gas station in the 5100 block of York Road.
"Again, we're fortunate that we're not talking about multiple victims here," said T.J. Smith, Baltimore City Police Department.
Police say it started with an argument between the victim and the suspect during a drug deal that eventually escalated to a gun fight.
The victim was shot several times as he was pumping gas. The 21-year-old fell over a trash can, but not before firing off a few rounds himself. He later died at a nearby hospital.
The gas station employee working at the time opened up to WJZ's George Solis.
"He's a very nice guy. He's my friend, coming lots of times right here," Amir Shahzad said.
Baltimore police are not mincing words about how important cameras have been in helping to solve some of the most recent murders in the city.
"Bad guys need to know that there are surveillance cameras everywhere these days and as we get that good surveillance video, we're going to do everything we can to make you famous to the entire region so we can get you in custody, cause people are tired of it," Smith said.
In two other recent murder cases, police believe releasing footage of the killings paid off. They said it led to the arrest of Public Enemy No. 1, 19-year-old Christopher Straham, who was taken into custody for the brutal stabbing of a 73-year-old man.
The same goes for the arrest of Damon Alexander, who police say shot six people, killing two of them outside a convenience store in Northwest Baltimore in November.
Now police and the public are hoping this latest video leads to another arrest.
"It's pretty sickening. It's ridiculous, and all the shootings... just cowards," one man said.
Anyone with information about this latest shooting is asked to call detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
