MACARTHUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SERVICE
21 February 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator In Chief
On Twitter: @BaltoSpectator
Many hours later, crime scene tape was still erected around the scene and a Baltimore Police car appeared to be guarding it. A fairly uncommon occurrence.
21 February 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator In Chief
On Twitter: @BaltoSpectator
Video clip property of WMAR ABC2, apparently the only station to have reported on the incident. Embedded under standard fair use practices.
UPDATE: A man found dead in a car this afternoon, initially declared suspicious -- without a stated cause of death -- has now been determined to be a homicide. Saturday night Justin Fenton tweeted: "Update: Man found dead in a car today in 3800 blk of Ridgewood Ave was shot to death. ID'd as Kevin Mason, 29"
It it unknown when or precisely where Mason was when he was actually shot.
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BALTIMORE -- (MINS) A man was shot in the head Friday night on the 1600 block of W. North Ave., near the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave.
It it unknown when or precisely where Mason was when he was actually shot.
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BALTIMORE -- (MINS) A man was shot in the head Friday night on the 1600 block of W. North Ave., near the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave.
The victim's current condition is unknown, but police say he survived the attack and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Friday's victim was one of four people shot on the exact same block within the past six months.
Like the majority of all shootings in the city, Baltimore Police have stated no motives or known suspects in connection with the incident.
Although the shooting happened shortly after 8:00 p.m., Baltimore Police delayed alerting the public for over two hours before posting the incident on the department's twitter page.
An Extremely Violent Corridor
The area surrounding the Penn-North Metro subway station has seen an extremely high rate of violence over the years. On just the 1600 block of W. North Ave. alone, numerous assaults and robberies have happened, in addition to the shootings.
- 8 August 2014 -- DOUBLE SHOOTING: A man and woman were shot on the 1600 block of W. North Ave.
- 13 December 2014 -- SHOOTING: Man walking down the street was shot at location of the 1600 block of W. North Ave.
The man in the August double shooting was a hospital walk in. The man shot in December was a walk in as well. All survived their attacks.
The cases remain open, with no motive or suspects.
Based on last years 45% clearance rate for homicide cases, it appears unlikely these non fatal shootings will ever be solved.
Based on last years 45% clearance rate for homicide cases, it appears unlikely these non fatal shootings will ever be solved.
With a pattern of continual crime and bold attacks, this area on one of the city's busiest east-west thoroughfares, seems like an obvious hot spot. Lacking any special attention and innovative strategy, the violence is likely to continue unabated.
February has had record low temperatures with back to back days of sustained single digit temperatures, mixed with winter precipitation. The weather appears to have slowed down the violence in contrast to January when the city saw 25 murders.
Another Silent Shooting?
Friday's incident was one of only three four shootings in the city in the past week. There were no homicides. However, a quick internet search brought few results of local media outlets reporting the incident.
At one point not long ago, many shootings were routinely ignored by Baltimore media. A person following the news was left with a false impression on the true level of violence in the city.
Other times, multiple murders are crammed together under one headline. Some of the incidents buried at the bottom of a different story, getting only a sentence or two mention.
Most of the media never follow up with victim ID's once they are learned. Leaving those who are murdered forever rendered as mere statistics based on a date and location.
* While this story was being written, Baltimore Police tweeted an incident of a body being found in a car. No indication of foul play was initially indicated.
Investigators have been called to the 3800 block of Ridgewood Avenue where a man was found deceased inside of a car. Investigation continues
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) February 21, 2015
Camelia Green also contributed to this report.
As Director of the MacArthur Institute Center For Advanced Analysis and Critical Comparison; occasional media critic, researcher, independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government under the guise of law enforcement. Although closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
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