In the early morning hours of May 12, 2017, the Baltimore music scene lost a celebrated figure. Vincent 'DJ Vicious V' Curtis, a 53-year-old Black/African American male, was found with gunshot wounds to his chest in Southwest Baltimore. The incident, which occurred around 4:00 a.m. at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Benson Avenue, stemmed from a dispute that tragically escalated to violence.
Despite being rushed to a trauma center, Curtis succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the death of the man known as 'the godfather of battling DJs' moved swiftly. Aided by video footage and witness accounts, police quickly identified a suspect. Later that same day, authorities arrested Brandon Harris, a 34-year-old man also known within the local DJ community as DJ B Easy. Harris faced charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and multiple handgun violations.
News of the arrest sent further shockwaves through a community already mourning the loss of a pioneer known for his skillful turntablism and continued use of vinyl. While the arrest brought a sense of progress in the case, the legal proceedings would ultimately lead to an unexpected conclusion. Brandon Harris was later acquitted of the charges, having argued that he acted in self-defense.
