Hundreds of Loved Ones Missing Thanksgiving as Baltimore’s Homicide Count Surpasses 300

Thanksgiving is often filled with good food and loved ones.

But for hundreds of families here in Baltimore, there’s an empty chair at the table this holiday as the city has once again surpassed 300 homicides for the 8th consecutive year.

Some of the victims include Kelsey Washington, 13, who, according to a post from her mother, was shot and killed while raising money for her dance team outside of a gas station/liquor store near Johns Hopkins Hospital; NaKayla Strawder, 15, who was shot and killed on the front porch of her Baltimore home, and father-to-be William Vincent who was shot and killed in Cherry Hill.

“He said he found out he was about to have a baby and stuff and wanted to stay out of trouble,” said Steve Brandon

Behind these names are families who are gathering around the table this Thanksgiving without their loved one due to the violence in Baltimore.

“Its hard whenever a loved one is not in the presence of family,” said Shawn Wilkinson , father of Akia Eggleston.

Akia Eggleston’s name was added to the list of homicide victims in 2022 earlier this year, after police arrested the father of the baby she was pregnant with when she disappeared years ago.

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