5th Homicide Of 2008

Location: 80 West St.
Public Housing: Very close proximity.
Nature: Injuries from apparent robbery attempt.
Record homicides for 1 year: 9.
2007 homicides: 9.
2008 homicide pace: 18.


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April 8th, 2008

On April 8th, 2008 at 9:00 AM, the Office of
the Medical Examiner ruled the death of Russell Myers Lockett III as a homicide.
Specifically, the cause of death is listed as pneumonia, aggravated by blunt
force trauma. Mr. Lockett was 53 years old at the time of his death, which was
March 17th, 2008 at approximately 8:15 AM. A brother of his was located in
Edgewater. The brother reported that as far as he knew, Mr, Lockett was homeless
for about the last year of his life.

On March 15th, 2008, The Anne Arundel County Police responded to 1000 Bestgate Road for a report of an injured subject, who turned out to be Mr. Lockett. He was suffering from what paramedics diagnosed as a broken rib and a punctured lung. Mr. Lockett told officers that the night before, on March 14th at about 8:00 PM, he was attacked by an unknown suspect while he was near 80 West Street. He said that he was knocked down from behind and that he thought that the person went through his pockets before running away. He said that he had nothing of value to steal on him. He, as far as is known, did not report the attack to anyone nor seek any kind of
assistance. He made his way out to Bestgate Road on foot. Employees of a nearby
bank reported that several homeless people camp in the woods behind the bank.
Mr. Lockett was taken to Shock - Trauma for treatment, where his condition
worsened until he passed away.

When first notified of the incident, Annapolis officers checked the vicinity of 80 West Street for any indications of a crime scene. None were found. Even though the attack was said to have occurred the night before, the area was canvassed for witnesses, again, none were found.

This case is actively being investigated as a Homicide. Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 410-268-4141.

To view a picture of Mr. Lockett, please go to:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/hdalton/LockettRussell.jpg

Homicide

The fourth murder in the city this year took place late last night in Robinwood, a public housing community. Continuing at the current pace, the city would see 13 or 14 homicides this year, which would easily shatter the record of 9.


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Released on March 17th, 2008 at 7:00 AM
HOMICIDE

On March 16th, 2008 at 11:21 PM, Annapolis Police Dispatch received several calls for shots fired in the 1300 block of Tyler Avenue. A male victim was found lying on
the ground near 1368 Tyler Avenue suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics
pronounced him as deceased. He was identified as a local 17 year old, but not a
resident of the immediate neighborhood. (Robinwood). His identity is being
withheld pending suitable time for family notifications. 1368 Tyler Avenue
has no known association with this crime except as a point of reference as being
the nearest physical address to where the victim was found. There is no known
motive or suspects at this time, and investigators are still seeking witnesses
or other people with knowledge of the circumstances.

This is the fourth homicide in the City of Annapolis in 2008.

Does Anyone Know About The Double Homicide?

Responding to a reader demand, I have decided to resurrect an issue that is a couple months old: the double homicide in Bay Ridge Gardens.

Oddly, I have nothing to report, yet there is much to know. Normally when a homicide happens, the city immediately sends out an email saying that a homicide has happened. That is usually followed by at least 1 update a couple hours later, either saying that a suspect has been arrested or at least requesting help in located a wanted suspect.

With this homicide, that didn't happen. The fact that it was a double homicide in itself is odd. We didn't learn the nature (shooting) of the homicide until a week later, and I don't remember hearing anything else since then. This smells funny.

I recently asked Ray Weaver about this, and he said he knew nothing more than I did. However, he then remarked that he is purposefully kept out of the loop on these things, precisely so secrets could be kept if need be.

My curiosity spiked, I wonder what we don't know about this, or what I missed.

2008 3rd Homicide

The date in the press release is the wrong one, because February 18th hasn't happened yet, but the point is made:

Date: February 17th, 2008
Release Time: 06:45 AM

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RE: HOMICIDE

On February 18th, 2008 at approximately 12:30 AM, Annapolis
Police Dispatch received a report of shots fired in the 1300 block of Tyler
Avenue. Upon officers’ arrival, a victim was found suffering from a gunshot
wound(s) inside a car. He was identified as a white male from Severna Park. He
was flown to Shock - Trauma in Baltimore, where he succumbed to his injuries at
approximately 430 AM. His identity is being withheld at this time pending family
notifications.

No suspects or motive are known at this time. The
investigation is still in the active initial stages, and further information is
either not available or not appropriate for release. This is the third homicide
in Annapolis for 2008. ( The first two were a double homicide on January 18th at
Bens Drive )

Further information will be disseminated in this same
manner when available and appropriate. Updates are also posted on the web at http://www.annapolis.gov/report.asp?page=7243.

The shooting took place in Robinwood (public housing), which is not unusual. The racial element of the crime, however, is unique. All of the homicides in 2007 involved black perpetrators and black victims. This is the first white victim of a homicide since I have been paying attention.

Homicide

There was a homicide last night, which I believe is the 8th in the city this year. The victim was an 18 year old male, and the shooting occurred in College Creek Terrace, which is a HACA community near Clay Street in Ward 2:

At approximately 6:55 PM on October 31st, 2007, Police Dispatchers received a
report for several shots fired, with a possible victim lying on the ground
near 50 College Creek Terrace, Annapolis, Maryland. Upon the arrival of the
officers, an 18 year old male victim was found on the scene, suffering
from a gunshot wound(s). The victim was taken by ambulance to the
Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he was pronounced as deceased a short time later. The identity of the victim is unavailable at this time, pending notification to next of kin.

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I actually suspected that such an event may have occurred....I scared the bejesus out of Mrs. Politics when I arrived at her Ward 2 abode around 7:30, which she informed me was only half an hour after she heard multiple gunshots. As she says, "it's so sad to think that somebody's whole life is just gone."