The third homicide this year in Annapolis drew fear, anxiety and calls for the capital city to take more action to stem the violence.
The latest victim, a Severna Park man, died after being shot in his car on Tyler Avenue in the Robinwood public housing complex at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
“Last year, we had nine the whole year, and this would be the third, and we?re only in February,” said Alderwoman Classie Gillis Hoyle.
“It?s certainly alarming and something the City Council will have to get together and talk about.”
In the latest slaying, police responded to a call about gunshots in the 1300 block of Tyler Avenue, where they found a man bleeding from at least one gunshot wound.
He was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he died.
His identity is being withheld because family members have not been notified. Police have no suspects or motives.
Alderwoman Julie Stankivic, whose Ward 6 includes Robinwood, said the killing would worsen fears.
“People are feeling very afraid down in the city, and obviously, this doesn?t help,” she said.
“I know the residents care greatly about the community. Certain residents are active about making phone calls to police, so hopefully, they will.”
Samuel Freeman, a resident of Tyler Avenue, said violence has worsened in the area.
“You?ve got to watch yourself now, especially living on Tyler Avenue,” he said.
A recent report showed serious crimes in the city dropped from 2,473 in 2006 to 2,235 in 2007. But homicides increased by one, to a record nine.
Last month, in a double homicide, Cecelia Brown, 50, and Charles Cully Jr., 29, were found in pools of blood in an apartment in the low-income Bay Ridge complex.
Last week, police released a composite sketch of the suspect, but had no suspects Sunday.
Like this year?s three homicides, almost all of last year?s happened in low-income or public housing communities.
Crime has become the focus of intense debate in Annapolis and dominated City Council campaigns.
City officials say more police officers, surveillance cameras and working with Anne Arundel police could help reduce crime.
