By: DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com
Law enforcement officers in Baltimore and Philadelphia arrested individuals suspected of involvement in mass shootings that occurred around the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
On July 7, members of Baltimore Police Department’s (BPD) Homicide and SWAT team arrested a 17-year-old male, after obtaining a search warrant and examining his residence. Based on their investigation, detectives believe that the teenager was involved in the mass shooting that occurred on the 800 block of Gretna Court on July 2.
The suspected teen was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he is facing several charges, including possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of an assault weapon, carrying a handgun in a vehicle and reckless endangerment.
BPD did not charge the suspect with murder and mentioned their investigation was ongoing. The July 2 shooting in the South Baltimore community killed two people and left another 28 people injured, many of which were teens and young adults.
Thus far, no arrests have been made, authorities have not determined a motive for the shooting and the number of suspects involved is not clear.
In an unrelated and separate shooting in Philadelphia during the evening of July 3, five people were killed and multiple minors were wounded.
Authorities mentioned that the suspect, 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, opened fire on strangers with an AR-15 while wearing body armor. Officers are currently investigating social media for a series of posts by Mr. Carriker, about guns, the Second Amendment and the “loss of freedom,” according to law enforcement.
Last month, Carriker shared a contemptuous video of a speech by President Biden and his opinion that Biden was supporting legislation to “take our arms.” In May, Carriker distributed posts from pro-gun advocates in support of the Second Amendment and former President Donald Trump.
As of July 8, 2023 there have been at least 361 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a ‘mass shooting’ as an occurrence where at least four people are shot, not including the shooter.
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