Number Of Baltimore Murders Lowest In Decades
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- On this last day of 2010, detectives are on the street investigating another murder.
Suzanne Collins reports despite that, the number of killings this year is the lowest in decades.
The victim, who was shot in the head, collapsed at a Volvo parked on Montford Avenue. It appeared the 49-year-old had struggled trying to get in the door of the car.
A woman who lives nearby hates to see another murder on the verge of a hopeful new year.
"It's not good. It could have been somebody in my family. My heart goes out to the family whoever he is, and I hope maybe one day this violence can stop," said Pamela Harvey, East Baltimore.
The body was reported by a person on the way to work Friday morning. Detectives are tracking down possible leads: word of a bar fight on the street and a nearby card game with money at stake.
They are trying to find out the truth.
"Detectives are working the case. We're trying to get search warrants for the vehicle, for the home and the block. The victim does have a history with the police department. As soon as next-of-kin notification is made, we will identify him. And at this point, we're trying to put together a motive," said Anthony Gugliemi, Baltimore Police.
This New Year's Eve murder brings the total killings this year in Baltimore to 223. That's the lowest it has been in more than two decades.
One man notices a difference.
"I've seen more police than ever. They are everywhere, literally everywhere. Turn around and you see two cops in one car. They've stepped their game up a little bit," said Justin Lee.
The number of non-fatal shootings in the city has also dropped 40 percent in just three years.
