2 dead in separate shootings in Baltimore's Harbor East and Northwood

A fatal shooting outside the Ruxton Steakhouse on Saturday night resulted in a police presence in Baltimore's Harbor East neighborhood the next day. Less than an hour earlier, police were also at the scene of a fatal shooting in North Baltimore overnight.

At around 11:53 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 700 block of Aliceanna Street in the Harbor East neighborhood, Baltimore police said in a news release.

Upon arrival, officers found a 36-year-old man who “appeared to have been shot multiple times,” police said. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The neighborhood borders Baltimore Harbor and is a popular shopping and dining area. The 700 block of Aliceanna Street is home to the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront and restaurants The Ruxton, Azumi and James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant, all owned by the Atlas Restaurant Group. David Smith, co-owner of the Baltimore Sun, is a partner in some Atlas restaurants.

By Sunday morning, bullet holes were visible in the Ruxton and the street was stained with blood. By Sunday afternoon, four police motorcycles were parked outside the Marriott.

A private security group, Tactical Protective Services, was also stationed in the area. An employee who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to comment on the matter said tenants of the buildings had requested that the security company remain nearby throughout the day.

On Monday, Morte recalled hearing gunshots from the nearby Avalon 555 President apartment building the night before, along with the subsequent sirens and helicopters. She said police and emergency responders had cordoned off streets in the area.

“We saw the ambulance being escorted out of the area by police,” said Morte. “Normally, something like this doesn't happen in this area, so it was really surprising.”

Father and son Chris and Brad Niemeyer said they were being dropped off by an Uber when they heard what they believe were seven or eight gunshots.

“We were standing at the door of James Joyce getting something to eat and heard a really loud noise,” Chris said Sunday morning.

“It sounded to me like maybe some scaffolding was collapsing,” he added.

The Niemeyers stayed at the area Hilton Garden Inn and visited Baltimore for some concerts.

“I was terrified because you think this is a safe place… but you always hear that this is a violent city,” Chris said.

But, he said, they had “a great time in the city.”

“We walked around everywhere and it was wonderful,” he said.

Kefilwe Mumsi, a manager at the Marriott, said Sunday that crime is rare in the area. She said Harbor East is a beautiful part of the city and that the shooting was an unfortunate incident.

Outside the Marriott on Sunday morning, dozens of guests waited for their vehicles and talked about the shooting. Passersby in Ravens football jerseys stopped outside the Ruxton to look at the bullet holes and suspected blood on the street. The windows were all intact and completely covered with curtains on the inside.

The Atlas Restaurant Group confirmed on Sunday that all of its restaurants would open and operate on time.

“The shooting in our community overnight is deeply disturbing on many levels,” Atlas said in a statement. “While the Baltimore Police Department investigates this incident, we will continue to work with law enforcement, our 24/7 security teams and the broader community to do everything possible to maintain a safe environment for our employees, as well as those who live in and visit our community.”

Tony Foreman, co-owner of nearby restaurants Cinghiale and Charleston, said that from a restaurant owner's perspective, the shooting was not a sign of “general chaos” in Harbor East.

“We've never seen anything like this in this area before, but I firmly believe the city is moving in a positive direction in terms of violence because this was an isolated incident,” Foreman said. “Like anywhere in the world, if someone is after someone, they're going to find them eventually.”

Foreman has operated in Harbor East since 1997, when the Charleston restaurant opened. He called Harbor East a “very safe place” and said his restaurants serve hundreds of people every night without incident.

Homicide detectives are investigating a possibly fatal shooting in Baltimore's Harbor East neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/UDDq5sMHOv

— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) 15 September 2024

Less than an hour before the Harbor East shooting, officers responded to another homicide, this time in the Northwood area.

Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1100 block of Springfield Avenue in North Baltimore around 11:14 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man with an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to a Baltimore Police Department news release, paramedics performed life-saving measures before transporting the victim to a nearby hospital.

In an updated press release shortly after midnight on Sunday, police said the incident was being investigated as a homicide because the victim later died in hospital.

The block where the shooting occurred separates the Original Northwood and New Northwood neighborhoods.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call investigators at 410-396-2100. Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Metro Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-866-7LOCKUP or submit an anonymous online text tip to Metro Crime Stoppers by visiting the website.

Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis contributed to this article.

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Originally published: September 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.