In the summer of 2021, the life of a determined and resilient 23-year-old Black man, Josiah Rogers, was tragically cut short in Baltimore, Maryland. On the evening of July 12, Rogers was shot in the neck on the 4100 block of Patterson Avenue. He fought for his life for three days before succumbing to his injuries on July 15, 2021. His death was one of 189 homicides in Baltimore that year.
Josiah's life was a testament to his 'Move Forward' mantra.
Despite facing numerous challenges from a young age, he consistently overcame adversity. Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, he also underwent brain surgery for Chiari Malformation 1. Yet, he excelled in sports, particularly wrestling and football, at Frederick Douglass Senior High School and earned a lacrosse scholarship to ASA College. His journey was marked by a strength that inspired those around him. The loss of his father at the hands of a Baltimore city police officer when he was just an infant shaped his early years, but with the support of his family, he built a life of accomplishment.
The investigation into Josiah Rogers's murder has left his family and community searching for answers. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his shooting. The Baltimore Police Department has listed his case in its homicide database, but details regarding the investigation have not been released to the public. In the wake of his death, his mother, Erica Ashby, established the Josiah Rogers Displaced Kids Fund to honor his memory and support inner-city children facing similar challenges, continuing his legacy of moving forward and helping others.
