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13-Year-Old, 16-Year-Old Charged In Fabian Mendez's Fatal Carjacking In SE Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Two more teenagers have been charged in Fabian Mendez's fatal carjacking, a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old, according to Baltimore Police.

Mendez died after he was struck by his own car after police say he was carjacked by three teens. The incident happened in the 100 block of N. Conkling Street around 5 a.m. on Friday, April 2.

A 16-year-old was arrested earlier this month in the incident. The 16-year-old told police he carjacked Mende and struck him with the Sedan.

A second 16-year-old boy is being held at Central Booking where he has been charged with first-degree murder as an adult.

Another suspect just arrested, a 13-year-old girl, is being charged as a juvenile. She is also being charged with first-degree murder.

Both are being held until their trial dates.

A community vigil was held in the Baltimore Highlands neighborhood last week where Mendez was killed.

Through a translator, Mendez's sister, Flormotenjo Mendez, reflected on his life.

"It's a very difficult time," she said. "I have to come to Baltimore because of what happened to my brother. He was a good person. He worked very hard to take care of our families."

The Baltimore Police crime map shows nearly 460 reports of carjackings in the city over the past year. Fifty-nine of them were in the southeast district.

Carjackings have spiked by more than 100% in cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, New York and  Philadelphia. In Washington, D.C., they're up 343%.

The Police Executive Research Forum says the trend is being driven by 12- to 15-year-olds with time on their hands during the pandemic.

Suspects are targeting delivery drivers or people warming up their cars.

WJZ spoke with Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen earlier this month as he condemned the violence and called for change.

"We have experienced a really shocking and heartbreaking level of violence in this corridor," Cohen said. "It is unacceptable. It is completely heartbreaking to see people losing their lives."

The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses. Click here for more information.

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