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Police Say Woman Killed In Weekend Shooting Was Innocent Bystander

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  A 19-year-old woman was killed standing outside a Waverly deli.  City leaders and grieving family members stood side-by-side to call for justice Tuesday night.

Kai Jackson has the latest on the search for suspects.

There are few words to describe the pain that Tanise Ervin's family is feeling.  If there is one, however, it's that this promising young woman deserves justice.

Ambitious and caring, that's how Ervin's parents describe their murdered daughter.

"She was an innocent soul and she didn't see the fault in people," said Tobby Ervin, victim's father. "I can't say enough of how beautiful of a soul she was."

On Saturday night Tanise Ervin and two young men went to the corner store, just a half block from her home. All three were shot.

Ervin's mom saw her daughter's body.

"I knew my baby's dead because police wouldn't let me touch her," said Juanita Brown, Tanise's mother.

But police say she wasn't the intended target.  They say she tried to get away but was caught in the crossfire and died from her injuries.

"It looks like some of the other individuals that were involved were involved in some type of altercation with the suspects," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police.

The two men, ages 20 and 24, suffered non-life threatening injuries, but police say they are not cooperating.

In response to the violence, police say they've stepped up their patrols in the neighborhood with uniformed and undercover officers, but Ervin's family says that's not enough.

"Sometimes the police ain't enough. Think the world gotta get involved," said Brown. "I want my baby to rest and know I did all I could to find this person who did this to her."

Ervin, a graduate of W.E.B. Du Bois, was hoping to attend Coppin State for nursing.

Her parents can only hope her death will bring attention to the growing violence.

"I want something more to be done about the senseless murders that have been taking place in Baltimore City," said  Ervin. "She didn't hang in the street, she wasn't a part of any gang and she wasn't involved in any drugs.  I want justice as any parent would want."

A vigil was held Tuesday night.

"We're gonna uproot this violence and get it out of this community for good," said Mary Pat Clarke, Baltimore City Council.

Police have no suspects. They're asking anyone with information to give them a call.

Funeral arrangements for Ervin have been made.  A viewing will be held on Friday, March 18 from 4-6 p.m. at the Weatherford Funeral Services at 2431 East Oliver Street in Baltimore.  The funeral will be held Saturday at 11:45 a.m. at New David Baptist Church of Christ at 1401 North Milton Avenue in Baltimore.

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