By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com
The Baltimore Police Department has arrested a young man who is suspected to have been involved in the mass shooting that took place last month at the Brooklyn Homes public housing complex in southern Baltimore during the Fourth of July holiday.
Tristan Brian Jackson, 18, was arrested Aug. 17, and has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted murder in addition to 41 other charges, according to BPD.
Baltimore police also confirmed that Jackson, who was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility upon his arrest, had previously been arrested in February for possession of a handgun.
Jackson is believed to be responsible for firing gunshots into a crowd of individuals gathered on the 800 block of 8th St. on July 2 during a block party. Detectives said GPS data from an ankle monitor he was wearing at the time–stemming from an unrelated case from juvenile court–corroborated his location at the party. They said he was also caught on surveillance video firing five rounds at a group of seven people who were fleeing in the opposite direction.
The mass shooting led to the deaths of 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi, while 28 other attendees of the annual “Brooklyn Day” celebration received substantial injuries.
Many of the surviving victims also were teens between the ages of 13 and 19.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott continued to express support for family members and communities impacted by the shooting.
“The residents of Brooklyn Homes were deeply impacted by a devastating act of violence, and I want to first extend my continued heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who are still grappling with this pain and loss,” Scott said in a statement..
Interim Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that since the shooting, BPD has been thoroughly investigating the case.
“ this investigation is still ongoing, I applaud the work of all the BPD members, the Homicide Detectives, our law enforcement partners and our community collaborators who will not rest until they see justice served,” Worley said in a statement..
Earlier this month, Worley declared that the department’s after-action report would be available in 30 to 45 days. The report is expected to provide details about how BPD responded to the mass shooting.
Authorities had previously arrested another teen who was at the party, charging him with possessing a firearm during the event. He was also one of the victims shot that night and hasn’t been charged with any act of violence. Detectives said he arrived at Brooklyn Homes with Jackson and two other people; the same group left the scene in a silver car shortly after the shooting, according to police.
Last month, The AFRO reported that community leaders and elected officials are seeking to help Baltimore residents recover emotionally and mentally in the midst of a year that has seen upwards of 440 mass shootings around the nation thus far.
When the Brooklyn Day violence occurred in early July, approximately 340 mass shootings had taken place across the U.S. for the year so far. And, the last five weeks have seen the number of shootings continue to increase at an alarming rate.
Following the July incident, Mayor Scott highlighted that shootings and violent crimes in cities should receive the same attention as mass shootings in rural communities, despite racial demographic differences.
“When it happens in Baltimore, Chicago or D.C., it doesn’t get that same attention,” said Scott in July.
“These Black American lives children’s lives matter just as anyone else,” he continued.
As members of the Baltimore community continue to handle the surge of violent crimes in the city and around the nation, the city’s public officials continue to work to produce solutions that will benefit community members.
“Throughout this entire investigation, BPD has acted swiftly and diligently in response to this tragedy and our efforts are not slowing down. While arrest has been made, the investigation continues,” Scott concluded.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.