In the early morning hours of December 16, 2020, the Franklin Square neighborhood of Baltimore was pierced by the sound of gunfire. When the echoes faded, two young lives were extinguished. One of the victims was Jatwan Joseph Baker, a 20-year-old Black male, who was found inside a vehicle at the 1400 block of West Franklin Street. He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alongside Baker was another young man, Marques Thomas, who also succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds.
The incident was quickly determined to be a double homicide, adding to a year that saw a distressingly high number of killings in the city. The Baltimore Police Department opened an investigation into the deaths of the two men, a case that reflected the ongoing struggle against gun violence plaguing the community.
As of the latest available information, the investigation into the murders of Jatwan Baker and Marques Thomas remains open. No arrests have been publicly announced, and details regarding any potential suspects have not been released. The case is one of many in Baltimore that highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing resolutions to violent crimes. The families and the community await answers in the quest for justice for the two young men whose lives were cut short on that December morning.
