Man critically wounded in shooting at Baltimore Royal Farms
A shooting occurred Wednesday morning at a Royal Farms gas station and convenience store in downtown Baltimore, leaving an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
Officers responded to a report of a shooting around 5:20 a.m. in the 1500 block of Russell Street, BPD said in a statement. The Royal Farms is across the street from Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino.
On the scene, officers discovered a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
Because of his injuries, homicide detectives were called in to investigate.
A suspect has not been named in the case, but according to dispatch recordings, the suspect is believed to be a Royal Farms employee.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.
Another shooting at the same store late last year
The same Royal Farms was the scene of a double shooting about eight months ago. One person, identified as Daquan Parker, was killed in that incident.
CBS News Baltimore learned Parker was previously acquitted of murder and that he was killed the same day the trial of his co-defendant in that case was beginning.
"If I would have known that, I wouldn't have stopped here"
Some customers who spoke to CBS News Baltimore said they were surprised to learn about Wednesday's shooting.
"All this is new to me. This is my first time hearing of any type of shooting at this Royal Farms. I thought it was alright," said Hakim Abdurrahmand, of Baltimore.
"Well, I'm afraid, to be honest with you. I'm glad I wasn't in the midst of it," Robin Offutt, of Washington, D.C., also reacted, adding, "If I would have known that I wouldn't have stopped here."
Some who stopped by the gas station were thinking twice about coming back. But others looked to Baltimore's low trending violent crime statistics, noting there is no need to be so fearful.
"Generally, things in the city are getting better," William Peabody said. "You hear about it less and less."
