Thousands of constituents, supporters, friends and family lined York Road to pay final respects to Councilman Ken Harris Wednesday evening.
As traffic enforcement officers wrestled with a line four deep that engulfed seven city blocks an estimated crowd of nearly 3,000 descended on the Huber Memorial Church in North Baltimore to console the councilman’s wife Annette, daughter Nicole and son Kenny Jr.
“This is a testament to the man,” said State Delegate Nathaniel Oaks. “This is testament to how he touched the community and how he served.”
“These are his constituents,” said fellow councilman and longtime friend Robert Curran, Jr. “These are the people that he worked so hard for, that’s why they’re here.”
The wake, originally scheduled from 6 pm to 8 pm, was extended an additional hour to accommodate the crowd.
“We will stay here until everyone gets into the church,” said Department of Transportation spokesman David Brown.
Harris was gunned down early Saturday morning outside of the Haven Lounge in Northeast Baltimore during a robbery. Police said a masked gunman shot through the passenger side window of Harris’ car as he tried to escape, mortally wounding him in the back.
Four gunmen then entered the club and stole $1,200 before escaping. Police have a recovered a mask not far from the scene. Security cameras from a nearby Bank of America are being analyzed to learn the identity of the killers.
A city stunned by the violent death of popular and outspoken councilman responded in droves Wednesday evening, patiently waiting in line to console his family and show their support.
“This shows the good that Baltimore is capable of,” said Baltimore police Sergeant Louis Hopson, a long time friend of Harris’
“All these people show the potential of the people to turn city this around, just like Ken believed he could make this a better city.”
“The community understands that he was a giving man and kind man,” said Senator Ben Cardin, who took a break from tense Senate negotiations over a $700 billion taxpayer funded bailout of the nation’s banking system to attend.
“All you have to do is look around to see how he affected the people he served,” said Cardin.
“Imagine if all these people would have shown up when Ken called for mentoring of young men,” said Tessa Hill-Ashton, Vice President of the Baltimore city branch of the NAACP.
“We need to harness this energy for something good.”
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