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
