Suspect In Shooting That Killed 2, Injured 4 Arrested 'Asleep On His Couch'
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Police have arrested and charged a suspect in a Nov. 30 shooting on Garrison Boulevard that killed two people and injured four others.
Damon Dwight Alexander, a BGF gang member, was found asleep on a family member's couch and taken into custody, police said at a Monday morning press conference.
The shooting happened around 6 p.m. that Wednesday evening nearly two weeks ago.
Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said at that time that a lone gunman came around the corner of a Stop One convenience store and deli, and shot at some individuals standing in front of the business.
"This killer has killed before, there's no doubt about it and that the ease of which he pulled the trigger convinces me of that," said City police Commissioner Kevin Davis.
The store's owner is heartbroken for the victims. There's a memorial where 23-year-old Davon Dozier and 29-year-old Troy Smothers were so boldly gunned down.
"I know him since he was 7 years old. He has a good family."said convenience store owner Moses Jaber.
Police say the motive was retaliation and the gun Alexander used was stolen.
"He seemed to be really skilled at his profession, which is being a murderer, so fortunately he's off the streets right now and hopefully he stays off the streets," said Smith.
The Black Guerrilla Family and its execution-style killings continue to plague the City, despite police and prosecutors targeting the gang. The state's attorney described their fight earlier this year.
"One of the most notorious and violent gangs in the country and what we've shown in the state's attorney's office and with the help of the police department is that we're going to go and use every resource that we can whether it's federal, state, local-- to go after these individuals," said Marilyn Mosby.
A 19-year-old man, wanted in the brutal stabbing of an elderly man in Southeast Baltimore, was restrained and turned in by a group of good samaritans.
Police tell WJZ both cases brought numerous tips into their text line - what many hope is a sign that the city overcoming the fear of retaliation.
"You see something happening over and over again and you just get tot he point where enough is enough," said Bobby Stewart of Northwest Baltimore.
"We can stop the violence, it's a cycle, we have to break the cycle," said Aaliyah Bennett.
"I think people have reached a point where they're angry and it shouldn't be tolerated," said public safety expert Rob Weinhold.
Weinhold says it could very well be the new norm in Baltimore, as long as those committing the crimes are staying behind bars.
"If 98 percent of law abiding citizens flip the switch from fear and hesitation, to anger and action, that other 2% doesn't stand a chance," said Weinhold.
Alexander faces first degree and second degree murder charges...Along with first and second degree attempted murder....
Baltimore is again on pace to see 300 murders this year and while the clearance rate is up, fewer than 4 in 10 killings are ever solved.
"We are certainly far from where we need to be and they are not numbers that we are collectively proud of and we have a lot of work to do," said Davis.
Two adult men were shot at multiple times, one died at the scene. The second man was taken to the hospital but later died there from his injuries.
Another man incurred life-threatening injuries. Three others, two women and another man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say Alexander had stolen firearm and that it was a retaliatory killing. Four of the six victims were intended targets.
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