David Blake

In the early hours after a violent Memorial Day weekend in Baltimore, another family was shattered by gun violence. David Blake Jr., a 23-year-old Black man, was found shot and killed in the city’s Easterwood neighborhood. His life was taken on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, a day that marked another grim statistic in a city struggling with a high rate of violent crime. The limited information available about David leaves a portrait of a young life cut tragically short, with many questions still unanswered.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. in West Baltimore. Officers from the Baltimore Police Department were dispatched to the 2200 block of Presbury Street after receiving a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they discovered David suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

The hours leading up to the discovery of David are not publicly known. His death came just a few hours after another man, 40-year-old Michael Barnes, was killed in a separate shooting in the Ashburton neighborhood. The two incidents added to a holiday weekend already marred by violence in the city. The Easterwood neighborhood, where David was found, is a residential area in the western part of Baltimore.

The Baltimore Police Department's Homicide unit took charge of the investigation into David's death. Detectives began the process of canvassing the area for witnesses and searching for any evidence that could lead them to the person or people responsible for the shooting. In the days and weeks that followed, however, no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were announced. The motive for the shooting remains unknown.

In an effort to generate leads, authorities reached out to the public for assistance. Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland announced a cash reward of up to $4,000 for any information that would lead to an arrest in David's case. This program allows individuals to provide information anonymously, a crucial tool in cases where witnesses might fear for their safety.

As of this writing, the investigation into the murder of David Blake Jr. remains open and unsolved. There has been no new information released regarding potential suspects or the circumstances that led to his death. His case is one of many that homicide detectives in Baltimore continue to work on, facing the challenge of a persistently high caseload. The lack of closure leaves his family and community waiting for justice.

The Baltimore Police Department continues to urge anyone with information about this case to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. For those who wish to remain anonymous, the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line is available at 1-866-7LOCKUP.