Robbery attempt ends in year’s first homicide

A New Year’s celebration ended in death for one reveler after a gun-wielding robber shot him at a party early Tuesday, Baltimore police said.

Just after midnight, a black man pulled a gun at the party in the 800 block of Bethune Road in Cherry Hill, ordered everybody on the floor and demanded money and property, said Officer Donnie Moses, a police spokesman.

The first homicide victim of 2008 refused to comply and argued with the gunman, who shot him multiple times in the chest, Moses said.

The gunman fled on foot and was still at large, Moses said.

The victim, identified only as a 28-year old male, was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and pronounced dead just before 1 a.m., police said. – Karl B. Hille

Police shoot man holding gun

Baltimore police shot a man who was holding a handgun in a West Baltimore back yard early Tuesday, police said.

Officers spotted the man while responding to gunshots in a back alley, police said.

“They ordered him to drop the weapon, he failed to comply and at least one officer fired his weapon, striking him in the abdomen,” said Officer Donnie Moses, a police spokesman.

After being shot in the 1900 block of West Lanvale Street, the victim fled through a house, then to his own home, where he called 911, police said.

He arrived at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in serious but stable condition, Moses said, and will be charged with handgun violations when he is released from the hospital. – Karl B. Hille

Aberdeen man struck, killed crossing Route 40

A 56-year-old Aberdeen man was killed by a car while crossing Route 40 near West Bel Air Avenue Monday morning, Aberdeen police said.

Herbert Michael Gerber of Paradise Road was crossing the southbound lanes around 6 a.m. when he was struck by a car driven by 33-year-old Jamal Waldon of Havre de Grace.

Gerber was dead at the scene. – Matthew Santoni