BALTIMORE — Families of two individuals killed in the Brooklyn Homes mass shooting are taking legal action against the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, claiming that the agency's lack of security contributed to the tragedy. Four additional victims who sustained injuries during the incident have also filed lawsuits.
The shooting occurred on July 2, 2023, amidst the annual Brooklyn Homes block party in South Baltimore, resulting in the deaths of 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi and 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez. A total of 28 people were injured, including at least 15 minors.
The parents of Fagbemi and Gonzalez argue that the Housing Authority was negligent in its duty to ensure safety at the event. They contend that adequate security measures could have prevented the violence, including staffing the party or alerting law enforcement as the crowd escalated.
Kurt Nachtman, a Baltimore attorney not connected to the case, noted the challenges of suing government entities, emphasizing that the city possesses substantial resources for legal defense. “Suing a government entity is always difficult,” Nachtman stated, highlighting the financial advantage the city holds in legal battles.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a report from the Baltimore Police Department indicated that some officers may not have adequately considered public safety prior to the outbreak of gunfire. Aaliyah Gonzalez’s mother, Krystal Gonzalez, expressed her frustration upon reviewing the report, questioning why the event was not terminated before the violence erupted.
“I want to know why no one responded to shut down this party,” Gonzalez remarked, expressing her disbelief over the police's claims of being unaware of the event beforehand.
In light of the ongoing legal proceedings, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City has stated that it has not yet been served with the lawsuits and will refrain from commenting on the allegations.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).
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