Latest news with #arabber
CBS News
15 hours ago
- CBS News
Shooting involving police under investigation in Baltimore
A shooting involving an officer is under investigation in Baltimore, according to police. Officers are on the scene of the incident in the 2700 block of Mosher Street. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Recent shooting involving police The shooting comes nearly a week after a local arabber was shot and killed by police after he shot and injured an officer. The death of Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr. remains under investigation, but police shared body-cam video of the shooting this week, showing Abdullah running from an officer and pulling a weapon from his bag. A firearm was recovered at the scene, police said. Non-fatal and fatal incidents that involve police in Maryland are usually investigated by the Attorney General's Office of the Independent Investigations Division (IID).
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Baltimore police to release body camera footage after fatal shooting of West Baltimore arabber
The Baltimore City Police Department is set to release body-worn camera footage of an incident in which a well-known West Baltimore arabber was shot and killed by police. Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., 36, was killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17 in the Upton neighborhood. Abdullah was a popular arabber, who sold produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. According to a preliminary report from the Maryland Attorney General's Office, Abdullah allegedly shot a veteran police officer in the foot as three officers opened fire on him. Abdullah, who was shot in the exchange of gunfire, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Attorney general's preliminary report A preliminary investigation report from the Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (AG) revealed that Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) officers in an unmarked cruiser were in the area when they encountered an adult man standing at the corner, carrying a crossbody bag on his back. The man began walking away, and the officer followed, according to the AG's report. The man was wearing a crossbody bag on his back when police attempted to stop him near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street. He reportedly led officers on a chase, and during a struggle, shot an officer in the foot, according to police. Police said that as an officer grabbed the man, a gunshot was fired, which prompted the officers to take cover. That's when the man allegedly pointed a gun at the three officers, who shot the man. The officer is recovering after he was released from the hospital following surgery, police said. The Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) officers involved were identified as Detective Devin Yancy, an 8-year veteran of the department; Detective Omar Rodriguez, a 6-year veteran of the department, both assigned to the Group Violence Unit; and Officer Ashely Negron, a 7-year veteran of the department, according to the Maryland Attorney General's Office. 2 men receive "Justice for BJ" rally in Upton Community members rallied in Upton last Friday, calling for more accountability from the city's police department. "Baltimore City police, we look to them to support and protect us, and they took my brother away," told WJZ. "We want justice. Those officers knew what they wanted to do. They knew, and we just want justice." Friday night the Baltimore City Police Accountability Board held an emergency meeting in response to the community outrage. The board, which said it investigated 17 complaints in the Upton neighborhood last year, is calling for more independent investigative power. "We would like the ability to question more folks, to be able to subpoena folks, to be able to gather more information," Jamal Turner, president of the Police Accountability Board, said.
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
Baltimore's "arrabing" community reflects on police shooting that left man dead
Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., who was shot and killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17, was a known "arraber," selling produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. Abdullah allegedly shot a veteran police officer in the foot as three officers opened fire on him, according to a preliminary report from the Maryland Attorney General's Office. Abdullah, who was shot in the exchange of gunfire, was pronounced dead at the hospital. "When we all stopped arabbing, BJ kept going. He kept it going," said Marqueatia "Weedy" Watters. "He kept the name going. Like, he kept it going." Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., who was shot and killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17, was a known "arraber," selling produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. Stable Baltimore Watters said she worked as an arabber for Abdullah's family, who owned several horses. "I tell you what, if (BJ) love you, he gonna go against anything for you, "Watters said. "He don't care. He gonna be right there for you. He don't care, every step of the way." Attorney General's initial report As officers were patrolling Baltimore's Upton community, they saw a man whom they believed was armed, according to charging documents. The man was wearing a crossbow bag on his back when police attempted to stop him near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street. He reportedly led officers on a chase, and during a struggle, shot an officer in the foot, according to police. Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., who was shot and killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17, was a known "arraber," selling produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. Stable Baltimore Police said that as an officer grabbed the man, a gunshot was fired, which prompted the officers to take cover. That's when the man allegedly pointed a gun at the three officers, who shot the man. The officer is recovering after he was released from the hospital following surgery, police said. "A man ran from officers, and a brief truffle ensued," Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said. "At some point, the male broke away, multiple officers returned fire, striking the man." Video shows community reaction Video shows the intense moments between neighbors and police moments after the shooting. WJZ returned to the neighborhood where neighbors were tight-lipped but were visibly angry. "I can tell you, he will be missed," a neighbor said. "The AG's office says that BPD will be releasing body camera footage by its policies. What is an arabber? Arabbing has a long history in Baltimore as a source of fresh produce in food deserts across the city. An arabber is a street vendor who sells fruits and vegetables from a horse-drawn cart. They used to be common in cities along the U.S. East Coast. Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., who was shot and killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17, was a known "arraber," selling produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. Stable Baltimore However, arabbers are working to stay active on the streets of Baltimore. Holden Warren, the former president of Baltimore's Arabber Preservation Society and co-founder of Stable Baltimore, a nonprofit dedicated to healing and horse culture, said he was working with Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr. to revive arabbing. "He was one of the last real hardcore arabbers that was still doing it, about four or five years ago, meaning he had daily routes," Warren said. "He had customers along those routes, and the routes went all over the city."
