Man Killed In Robbery Attempt Vowed To Fight Back Amid Recent Crime Wave
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A man is dead after he was shot in the stomach outside a Royal Farms Store near the new Anthem House apartment complex in Locust Point, police say.
Many in a south Baltimore community are feeling angry and sad following the murder of a beloved bartender in the area.
Police say Alexander Wroblewski was buying a late night snack of milk and cookies after work, and that he paid for it with a large denomination bill. They say the persons of interest held the door for him as he left the store.
There are three persons of interest in the case, one of whom is not shown on the surveillance video that police released. (Watch below.)
Friends tell WJZ Wroblewski was as genuine a person as they come. Back in April, he helped raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Our media partners at The Baltimore Sun report that Wroblewski recently told co-workers, amid a recent rash of crime, that if he was targeted he wouldn't go down without a fight.
It was around 1:15 a.m. when officers responded to the 400 block of Lawrence Street. Upon arrival, officers found the 41-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Shock Trauma where he died.
Police say the suspects left the scene in a car, a silver Chevy Cruze.
"The odds are great and extremely high that this is not their first time committing the act. Normal people don't just kill someone and go to to sleep," said Baltimore PD spokesman T.J. Smith.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke with a friend of the victim Tuesday afternoon.
Wroblewski worked at the Rowhouse Grille in Federal Hill, where many of his close friends gathered to mourn.
One his closest friends told WJZ he was an important fixture of the south Baltimore community.
"You could walk down the street, and any business would know him and community members would know him, it's a hard loss," said Patrick Dahlgren. "Unfortunately, my best friend was taken from me, taken from us."
Close friends have been stopping by an ever growing memorial at the scene. They describe a man whose personality was larger than life. Many of them now planning a vigil for their fallen friend.
"A really good friend to many people, a really good son to his parents," said friend Bryan Burnette.
And a man who wouldn't give into fear, even in his final moments.
"That's who he was, that's what he loved about him. He was a fighter," Burnette added.
Police and the community are hopeful the surveillance video leads to answers, and more importantly, justice.
The vigil is set to take place at the scene on Saturday, November 18, at 6 p.m., where the turnout is expected to be large.
Anyone with information regarding this murder is asked to call detectives at (410) 396-2100, call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP, or text a tip to 443-902-4824.
Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook
