Baltimore violence hits close to home for police Chief T.J. Smith

Baltimore Police spokesman Chief T.J. Smith acknowledged on social media Tuesday night that his brother was Baltimore’s 173rd homicide victim over the weekend.

Smith held a press conference on the incident Wednesday afternoon:

He shared in a Facebook post how he broke the news to his family:

I've made more than my share of death notifications over the course of my career, but now, it was personal. I arrived and shared the terrible news. A coward with a gun, entered my brother's apartment and shot and killed him.

Dionay Smith, 24, was shot and killed on July 2 in the 1400 block of Argyle Avenue.

Smith said his brother was a “good kid,” who worked two jobs and volunteered with children. “To many, he will be #173, but to me and my family, he's Dion, a brother, a son, a father, a friend, a nephew, and a kind soul.”

Watch surveillance footage below:

Police released surveillance video of two persons of interest and are asking anyone with information to call detectives at 410-396-2100.
 

The voice/face of @BaltimorePolice @TJSmithMedia is talking to media about his own brother's murder in West Baltimore Sunday. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/1AMBASPxmm

— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) July 5, 2017

.@TJSmithMedia says his brother was killed in his home. He and his Dion were close. When TJ saw the name come across his phone, he knew

— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) July 5, 2017