BALTIMORE (WJZ) — It was supposed to be a night of fireworks and fun to celebrate Independence Day, but instead a man was killed, an all-out brawl broke out and a little boy was shot. Mike Hellgren explains outrage is growing over crime in Baltimore City.

New video shows the large police presence as officers tried to calm the crowds. Several fights broke out at the Inner Harbor during the fireworks. One occurred as “God Bless America” played from the loudspeakers.

The brazen violence claimed one life. WJZ obtained a mug shot of Joseph Calo, a 26-year-old from Alabama, who died after he was stabbed in the neck with a bottle. Police released a photo of the prime suspect in his killing. It happened near McCormick and Schmick’s.


“These people who engage in these terrible and senseless acts of violence are cowards and we’re not going to tolerate their cowardly,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Chaos also erupted at Light and Pratt streets, where a four-year-old was shot in the leg with a stray bullet.

“We had incredible deployments down there and literally feet away from where this incident occurred,” said Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.

Police say the camera located at the intersection did not capture any part of the shooting. Detectives did not recover any shell casings, either.

Police say they made 30 arrests and handled 20 curfew violations. There are fears the violence will have a chilling effect on tourists.

“Most people are out here for a good celebration and to have something like this, most people won’t come back next year,” said Joseph Young.

Police are still evaluating whether they could have done anything to prevent the mayhem.

“This is absolutely ridiculous. People come down to the harbor to enjoy themselves,” Rawlings-Blake said.

If you have information on any of these crimes, you are asked to call city police.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/07/05/child-shot-man-dead-after-fireworks-celebration/