Police Ask Witnesses To Come Forward In Slaying Of 3 Teens
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Police say two 19-year-olds and one 17-year-old were killed last night following a shooting in Baltimore.
But the shootings didn't stop there, just after midnight, a 20-year-old man was shot on North Chester Street, and another man was shot after a robbery in west Baltimore. Police say both victims were hospitalized.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren has the latest.
The violence has not let up in Baltimore. WJZ was on the scene Thursday night just before 11 o'clock on Willow Avenue--not far from the intersection of York and Cold Spring--where three men were murdered.
"Unfortunately, we're on the scene of a very unnecessary event," said Sgt. Jarron Jackson, Baltimore City Police.
Police say officers were already on patrol in the area when they heard gunshots.
At the scene, they found three victims; two of the men who were shot also had guns on them.
Sgt. Jackson said, "We owe it to their families, we owe it to the citizens of Baltimore to find those persons responsible and bring them to justice. "
But some in the area expressed fear in coming forward. Last week, in an exclusive interview, State's Attorney Mosby spoke about the continuing problem of scared witnesses in prosecuting cases.
"It's almost easier for them to stay silent than to come forward and testify against individuals for killing their loved ones and that's the culture we're trying to change," Mosby said.
Last month, Baltimore tied an all-time record for homicides with 45 deaths.
A "war room" has also been established with federal partners to assist in the crime fight which they say surged since the Freddie Gray unrest.
Police have not released a motive in the triple murder last night.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
