On a summer night in Baltimore, Maryland, the life of 17-year-old Blake Hammond was tragically cut short. On July 28, 2016, in the Morrell Park neighborhood, Blake was shot and killed around 10:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard. The male teenager's death prompted an investigation by the Baltimore Police Department, which led to the identification of a suspect through the efforts of homicide detectives and witness cooperation.
Nearly a month after the shooting, on August
27, 2016, a 15-year-old, Tarik Kelly, was taken into custody by the Warrant Apprehension Task Force. He was subsequently charged as an adult with a number of serious offenses, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and several gun-related charges. Following his arrest, Kelly was held without bail at the Central Booking and Intake Facility.
Court records indicate that the shooting occurred following a conversation between Blake and Kelly. Witnesses reported that after an exchange of words, Kelly turned and fired a gun at Blake. A second, unidentified individual also reportedly began shooting, creating a chaotic scene during which Blake and a witness attempted to flee before Blake collapsed from his injuries. The investigation continued as police worked to identify the second shooter.
