Ceasefire Weekend Begins Amid Violent Streak In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another call for a violence-free weekend has begun, days after the fatal shooting of a teen marked the 100th homicide in Baltimore this year.
The 72-hour event is an effort to reduce murders in a city riddled with violent crime. Some of the most recent homicide victims are two teens -- a 16-year-old who was fatally shot near a basketball court at the Mary Rodman Recreation Center Tuesday night and a 17-year-old City College High School who police say was shot and killed in a "case of mistaken identity" on Saturday.
RELATED: Murder Of 16-Year-Old Marks Baltimore's 100th Homicide This Year
Baltimore went 12 days without a murder in February, but since then, the numbers have spiked. April brought 34 homicides, including a mother and daughter who were executed in their West Baltimore home, a woman shot in the head during a carjacking in Highlandtown and a 61-year-old man who was left paralyzed after being shot as he was returning home from church.
The latest ceasefire weekend in February led to the 12-day streak without a homicide -- a murder-free milestone that hadn't been seen in years. In August 2011, October 2013 and March 2014, the city went 10 days without a murder -- and eight days in November 2014.
Organizers are aiming to curb the violence running rampant in the city.
RELATED: Baltimore Tops FBI's Most Violent Cities List
Several events are planned throughout the weekend, including a first-aid class, discussions, rallies and a free movie night.
Find out more about Baltimore Ceasefire here.
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