A late-night dice game in East Baltimore ended in fatal violence on June 3, 2017. Greg Manuel, Jr., 24, was taking part in a game on the 1700 block of Rutland Avenue around midnight when an argument over a small amount of money escalated. Manuel struck another player, Derek Black, with a small stick. Witnesses say Black then retrieved a handgun from his van and shot Manuel multiple times in front of several onlookers, including Manuel’s mother. The rounds struck Manuel’s rib, lungs, and heart and proved fatal.

Eyewitnesses present that night, including Manuel’s mother and a mutual friend, Elijah Strickland, later identified Derek Black in photo arrays. Black was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and with using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime; a jury convicted him on both counts. For the murder of Greg Manuel, Jr., Black was sentenced to life with all but 45 years suspended, and he received a concurrent 20-year term for the firearm count with the first five years to be served without parole.

If anyone was in the area that night or knew Manuel or other witnesses, please share what you remember.