In the winter of 2022, the city of Baltimore lost a cherished community member. Raymond Broadway, a 51-year-old Black man, was fatally shot around noon on January 12th. The incident occurred near the intersection of Gusryan and Boston Street in Southeast Baltimore, a place not far from where his mother, who was battling stage 4 cancer, resided. Neighbors remembered him as a loving father and a devoted son who was always there to help his mother.
Known affectionately as 'Big Ray' or
'Ray-Ray,' Broadway was a familiar and respected figure in his O'Donnell Heights neighborhood. Having overcome some missteps in his youth, he had turned his life around, earning his GED, a commercial driver's license, and a barber's license. He was particularly proud of becoming a longshoreman. He was known for his big heart, his keen sense of fashion, and his unwavering support for his community and Baltimore's home teams, the Ravens and the Orioles. He was a man who believed in giving back and was vocally against the senseless violence that plagued his city.
On that fateful January day, Broadway was reportedly taking his mother to a medical appointment when someone drove up and opened fire into his car. It is said that in his final moments, he shielded his mother from the gunfire. The Baltimore Police Department launched an investigation into his murder and offered a reward for information that could lead to an arrest. However, despite their efforts and the pleas of a heartbroken community, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with his death. The case remains a painful and unresolved tragedy for his family, friends, and a city still grappling with the persistent issue of gun violence.
