baltimore

Baltimore’s Mayor is Suing the ATF to See Where Guns Used in Crimes Are Coming From

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Baltimore’s Mayor is Suing the ATF to See Where Guns Used in Crimes Are Coming From

Just last summer, amidst sweltering July heat in Baltimore, Krystal Gonzalez was startled by her husband’s uncommon screams. “Aaliyah was shot!” he cried out, shaking Gonzalez to her core.

Gonzalez rushed to the scene of a mass shooting, where her daughter Aaliyah lay covered by a white sheet. “You don’t know. I need her. Oh my god, I need her,” Gonzalez pleaded with the police, her heart-shattering at the sight of her daughter’s lifeless form. Aaliyah, just 18 and freshly graduated, was among two fatalities in the Brooklyn Day celebration shooting that left 28 others wounded on July 2nd.

Five people, including three juveniles, have been arrested, but justice eludes Gonzalez and the family of 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi, the other victim. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott lamented the influx of firearms, likely trafficked across state lines, plaguing his city. Data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reveal that most guns recovered from Maryland crimes originate elsewhere. Yet, officials like Mayor Scott are barred from accessing vital ATF firearm trace data due to the Tiahrt Amendment.

Scott and the city council of Baltimore have taken matters into their own hands. They are suing the ATF. Their argument is local lawmakers cannot halt the influx of guns without knowledge of their origin. Without this critical data, their efforts to identify trends and hold unlawful dealers accountable are almost impossible. “Baltimore has no gun stores, yet 84% of reported homicides since 2007 were firearm-related,” asserts Mayor Scott, highlighting the city’s plight. In response, Baltimore is suing the ATF to gain access to crucial firearms data, a move backed by over 60 congressional Democrats.

President Joe Biden vowed to address gun violence by repealing restrictions like Tiahrt but has yet to act. Gun rights groups argue against data release, citing risks to investigations and retailers. However, experts like Alex Piquero stress the importance of such information, enabling targeted law enforcement efforts to combat firearm-related crime effectively.

The post Baltimore’s Mayor is Suing the ATF to See Where Guns Used in Crimes Are Coming From first appeared on The Source.

The post Baltimore’s Mayor is Suing the ATF to See Where Guns Used in Crimes Are Coming From appeared first on The Source.

Six People Presumed Dead From Baltimore Bridge Collapse

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Six People Presumed Dead From Baltimore Bridge Collapse

CNN reports that three Mexican nationals were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it collapsed following a collision with a container ship Tuesday. The news was confirmed by Mexico’s president Wednesday morning. 

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said one of those individuals was rescued and is alive as he described him as “injured” but “safe.” Two are still missing, the President of Mexico added. His administration is currently in touch with those families whose diplomatic officials are aiding. 

López Obrador stressed a hot-button issue, reminding his neighbors in the north that migrants usually work jobs at midnight and do “risky work,” adding, “They do not deserve to be treated, as they often are, by some irresponsible politicians and with little sensibility in the United States.”

López Obrador’s administration was aware of more missing people, which included those believed to be brothers hailing from Central America.

A father of three from El Salvador was identified as one of the missing, as well as another father of two from Honduras. And these were two men who had lived in the US for nearly twenty years each. Also, two Guatemalans were unaccounted for. Divers resumed their recovery efforts as of Wednesday.

The post Six People Presumed Dead From Baltimore Bridge Collapse first appeared on The Source.

The post Six People Presumed Dead From Baltimore Bridge Collapse appeared first on The Source.

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses Causing “Mass Casualty Event,” Lamar Jackson & More React

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The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on Tuesday after a container ship rammed into a support column earlier in the morning. The fire department’s communications director, Kevin Cartwright, described the collapse as “a mass casualty event.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore confirmed that the ship issued a “mayday” after losing power, which allowed authorities to prevent further casualties. “We’re thankful that between the ‘mayday’ and collapse that-that we had officials who were able to-to begin the stop the flow of traffic so more cars were not up on the bridge,” Moore said.

Regardless of the warning, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld confirmed that eight people were on the Key Bridge at the time of its collapse. He says his department is currently looking into alternative transit options for the 35,000 people who traverse the bridge daily.

Read More: Offset Donates $30K In Groceries & Gift Cards To Baltimore High School Students

Cargo Ship Smashes Into Francis Scott Key Bridge

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MARCH 26: Small boats surround a cargo ship after the ship ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Rescuers are searching for at least seven people, authorities say, while two others have been pulled from the Patapsco River. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In response to the incident, plenty of celebrities, politicians, and residents have reacted to the collapse on social media. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wrote on Twitter: “For the people and their families that was apart of the collapsing Bridge in Baltimore my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all…” David Simon, who created the HBO show, The Wire, wrote: “Thinking first of the people on the bridge. But the mind wanders to a port city strangling. All the people who rely on ships in and out. The auto-ship imports, Domino Sugar, coal exports, dockwork, whatever container traffic we didn’t lose to Norfolk. Industries. Jobs. Families.”

Reactions To The Collapse Of The Francis Scott Key Bridge

One controversial response to the news came from Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser who simply wrote on Twitter: “Oh no.” She’s since deleted the tweet after facing tons of backlash. Check out more of the responses to the incident below and be on the lookout for further updates on HotNewHipHop.

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Bandhunta Izzy’s Brother Killed In Baltimore Shooting

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Bandhunta Jugg, the brother of Bandhunta Izzy, has reportedly been killed in a shooting in western Baltimore. Jugg was named as one of five victims in an early morning shooting in the neighborhood of Woodlawn. Jugg was the only deceased victim, with the other four victims being transferred to hospital.

“Our detectives are trying to ascertain what exactly transpired here before officers arrived. I believe the white vehicle is what the victims were sitting in at the time. I don’t necessarily know where all the victims were, but I do know this vehicle was involved. [Detectives] are working with local businesses to get all surveillance footage that’s available that may have captured this incident and the suspects responsible for this,” a Baltimore Police Department spokesperson told reporters.

Read More: Jigg And Celly Cell Pronounced Dead After Milwaukee Shooting

Tributes Pour In For Bandhunta Jugg

As the news of Jugg’s death broke, tributes poured in for the late rapper. The most emotional tribute came in from Jugg’s partner. “My handsome boy. You are my everything, i will forever love u past measures and i am so grateful to have experienced unconditional love from you. i will accomplish everything we discussed and i will always make sure ur name lives on. i have came to peace knowing that you will always be with me no matter what. This is love u don’t experience twice and im so thankful that i’ve experienced it with you,” she began.

“If anyone knows me they know how much u meant to me. i am beyond blessed that god has placed u in my life, you are my best friend, and forever my true love. i will choose you again and again in every lifetime, im going to stay strong for you, you believed in me so much and i will never let you down, going 10x harder bc ik you got me, thank you for everything babe, just one more kiss, one more hug, one more hour, i’ll always be waiting for you judah. I’ll see u later my love💙forever jugg💫,” she continued.

Read More: LeBron James Calls For Gun Control In Wake Of UNLV Shooting

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Gervonta Davis Affordable Housing Plans Fall Apart After Block Fire: Watch

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Like so many others with large bank accounts to play with, the 2023 holiday season has Gervonta Davis in the giving spirit. Before settling in with his family to eat delicious food and unwrap heartfelt gifts, the athlete opted to give back to the community of Baltimore with an impressive purchase. Rather than expanding his collection of luxury jewelry and designer clothes, Davis bought a block of apartments in his hometown, with plans to renovate them into affordable housing options for locals in need.

Just hours after the 29-year-old happily celebrated his plans to make the world a better place, disaster struck. As Essentially Sports reports, a fire lit up the building Davis had just purchased, though firefighters seem to have since brought the chaotic situation under control. The boxer’s trainer, Calvin Ford, posted a clip of the scene on Instagram on Friday (December 22), showing smoke bellowing from the windows.

Read More: Gervonta Davis Makes Power Move, Buys Back Baltimore Block For Affordable Housing Revitalization

Baltimore Block Fire Prohibits Gervonta Davis from Giving Back

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“I swear to God like, when they come to Baltimore, there’s no win… This man is a world champ! And he wanted to give back to the community he was raised in…That community is on fire day after he pay for it,” a voiceover rants. In the comments of Ford’s post about the tragic situation, many are begging for Davis not to give up on Baltimore. Others, however, understand why he would want to cut ties with his roots and focus on his future instead. “Nahhh somebody tried burning the building that Tank just bought? SMH, the heat be so real that’s why sometimes you gotta leave your city and don’t turn back,” one person wrote. “

Gervonta Davis’ valiant attempt to aid his community might not have gone over as planned, but at least other stars are having better luck with their holiday plans. Even Young Thug, who’s spending his second Christmas in jail, managed to sponsor a holiday toy drive for those less fortunate than him this year. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Young Thug Gives Back From Behind Bars, Sponsors Christmas Toy Drive

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Gervonta Davis Makes Power Move, Buys Back Baltimore Block For Affordable Housing Revitalization

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In a heartfelt gesture that echoes the spirit of community upliftment, renowned boxer and Baltimore native, Gervonta Davis, has returned to his roots with a powerful mission. The champion recently acquired two buildings on Woodyear Street. Located in the Sandtown-Winchester area, a neighborhood marred by abandonment and vacant homes. Davis, however, sees beyond this. Instead, he envisions a revitalized community built on the pillars of affordable housing. The Sandtown-Winchester area, like many neglected neighborhoods across the country, has been grappling with systemic issues and a lack of resources for far too long. Gervonta Davis, now a symbol of success in the world of boxing, aims to break this cycle. He’s doing this by investing not just in property but in the very fabric of the community that shaped him.

In a video shared on social media, Davis can be seen accepting documents for his newfound ownership. The boxer-turned-philanthropist expressed his desire to rehabilitate the vacant homes on Woodyear Street, turning them into beacons of hope for the community. The news of Davis’s endeavor has sent ripples across social media platforms, with messages of support flooding in. One comment encapsulated the prevailing sentiment: “More and more successful black people are making the necessary moves to place community at the forefront instead of individuality like we’ve been conditioned, and it’s beautiful.”

Read More: Gervonta Davis Flexes Stacks Of Cash Amid Beef With HoneyKomb Brazy

Gervonta Davis

This venture by Gervonta Davis is a shining example of celebrities leveraging their success for the greater good. Instead of succumbing to the allure of personal luxury, Davis is channeling his resources and influence to address the urgent need for affordable housing in underserved communities. The initiative also aligns with a broader societal shift where successful individuals, particularly from marginalized backgrounds, are actively working to dismantle the barriers that hinder community development. Gervonta Davis joins the ranks of those who recognize the importance of collective progress over individual triumphs.

As the Sandtown-Winchester revitalization project takes shape, it not only provides a tangible solution to the housing crisis but also serves as an inspiration for others to invest in the betterment of their hometowns. Gervonta Davis is not just buying back buildings; he’s investing in the dreams and futures of the very community that supported him on his journey to success. In the ring and now on the streets, Davis is a true champion, fighting for a cause that extends far beyond the boxing arena.

Read More: Andre Ward Gives Jake Paul His Flowers For Expanding Boxing’s Audience

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Angel Reese Returns To Baltimore In Hometown Sellout

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Angel Reese was greeted by the first sell-out crowd in the 14-year history of Coppin State’s Physical Education Complex as she made her first return to her hometown of Baltimore since leaving the Maryland Terrapins last year. In front of 4100-eager fans, Reese and LSU dismantled their hosts 80-48. Reese had a game-high 26 points, adding 6 rebounds and 5 steals to her tally as well. “I knew that people were going to come out and support. They love me here, right or wrong, up and down. Baltimore has always had my back,” Reese said after the game. Flau’jae Johnson added 18 for the Tigers.

The win moved LSU to 12-1, their twelfth consecutive win since their season-opening loss to Colorado. However, the Tigers have hardly been tested during the non-conference period. Only Virginia and Virginia Tech have really pushed LSU since the Colorado game. However, that only adds to the hype around the Tigers’ January 25 clash with currently undefeated South Carolina.

Read More: Angel Reese And LSU Stars Name Their All-Time Basketball Starting Lineups

Angel Reese Reveals Reason For Four-Game Absence

Of course, the biggest story surrounding LSU’s early season start was the abrupt absence of Reese from the team for four games around Thanksgiving. Upon her return, Reese explained her absence as a “mental health break” and was self-imposed. “Taking time to yourself is really important. I feel like it’s just something important, resetting, refocusing within the team. I’m just happy to be back. My mental health is the most important before anything and I’m gonna make sure I’m okay before anything because I don’t wanna cause any harm or cancer in the locker room. I want to people realize that I’m not just an athlete. I’m a human, too. I go through things,” Reese said after LSU’s win over Virginia Tech.

Furthermore, Reese claimed that Shaq had FaceTimed her every day during her absence. Reese recently signed onto Reebok as Shaq’s first signing in his president of basketball role. However, Reese’s explanation raised questions with some fans. Firstly, it doesn’t explain why Reese was benched at halftime against Kent State in what Kim Mulkey called a “coach’s decision”. Secondly, one of the few comments Mulkey made about the situation was that it was a “locker room issue”. While things didn’t fully add up, fans were happy to have Reese return to the team.

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Will Smith Proclaims His Love For Jada Pinkett Smith After Surprising Her On Book Tour

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Will Smith made a surprise appearance at Jada Pinkett Smith’s book tour stop in Baltimore this week. The actor and singer took to the stage to profess his love for Jada, who recently claimed they had been separated for seven years. “I just really wanted to come out and just be here and hold it down for you the way you have held it down for me. We have had a very, very long and tumultuous [relationship]. We call it ‘brutiful.’ It was brutal and beautiful at the same time,” Smith said as Jada attempted to hold back her emotions.

However, Smith wasn’t done yet. “As I stand here before you today, I am happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I have achieved every single thing I have ever wanted in my entire life. There is not one thing left that I desire in this world — all of the awards, all of the money, the family — everything I’ve ever dreamed,” Smith added. He also referred to his relationship with Jada as a “sloppy public experiment in unconditional love.”

Read More: Jada Pinkett Smith’s Revelations Leave Rick Ross Rethinking Marriage

How Did Jada And Will Get Together?

Will Smith
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: (L-R) Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic)

Elsewhere, Jada also recently revealed the true story of how she and Will ended up together. “We had gone out with friends about a year before. And then he calls me and he’s like ‘Hey, I’m in Baltimore. I’m leaving LA. I’m actually here at the moment overseeing the renovations. Let’s meet up.” Pinkett Smith went on to reveal that she found the assertiveness “sexy” but also acknowledged that this was at the time when Smith was divorcing his first wife. Sheree Zampino.

The Smiths would be married in 1997. The long-standing story they have put out prior to this revelation was that they met when Jada auditioned for a role as Will’s girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Along with the revelation that they have been separated for the best part of a decade, Jada has also revealed several affairs she has had.

Read More: Jada Pinkett Smith Says 2Pac & Will Smith Would’ve Become “Really Good Friends”

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Charli Baltimore Claims Lance “Un” Rivera Told Her Jay-Z Stabbed Him

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Charli Baltimore has been dishing out a lot of tea these days, some of it relating to multi-hyphenate entertainer Lance “Un” Rivera. Moreover, her most recent tale on VladTV concerns the infamous story of when Jay-Z stabbed him at Q-Tip’s album release party in Times Square back in December 2, 1999. Furthermore, Hov pled guilty to second-degree assault for the incident, which allegedly stemmed from his album Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter getting bootlegged before its December 28 release date. He received three years of probation, but it’s clear that the case didn’t stop there.

Back to Charli Baltimore’s account, she recalled to DJ Vlad how she was signed to Un at the time, but denied dating rumors. Apparently, the rapper showed up to the party as everyone started to leave following the stabbing, including Jay-Z himself. That’s when she found Rivera on the ground, who told her: “Jay stabbed me,” according to her. Since then, though, Lance denied that Hov was the one to attack him, contradicting his own guilty plea and the Philly native’s own account. As such, she expressed confusion at how much the story has changed, and as to why Un took his sweet time in clarifying it.

Read More: Biggie Smalls Was “Scared” To Tell Charli Baltimore Of Faith Evans Pregnancy, She Claims

Charli Baltimore Shares Her Side Of The Jay-Z & Lance “Un” Rivera Stabbing Story

However, that’s not all that the 49-year-old alleged concerning Lance “Un” Rivera. She also claimed that he and Epic Records tried to heavily interfere with her career’s direction. “I feel like, I don’t think that they knew what to do with me as an artist,” Charli Baltimore began. “Everyone seemed to have their own vision of what I should be. And, by me not really knowing anything at that point about the music business, I’m being pulled in one hundred different directions as to what my image should be. I feel like my image is what I was when I got signed. I had red hair. It wasn’t like they sat me down and transformed me or did a makeover. This is how I walked in. Why do we have to change me into some version of myself that I’m not?

“And I don’t know if it was all Un or it was all Un and Sony,” she continued. “But obviously, most of my ‘how I should be conforming’ conversations came from Un,” the Murder Inc. affiliate detailed, calling him “very controlling.” “I think, in his mind, he wanted me to be like a pop rapper. Like a rap version of Britney Spears or something, which I’m not.” For more news and updates on Charli Baltimore, Lance “Un” Rivera, and Jay-Z, keep checking in with HNHH.

Read More: Charli Baltimore: A Look At A Hip Hop Queen

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Biggie Smalls Was “Scared” To Tell Charli Baltimore Of Faith Evans Pregnancy, She Claims

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Biggie Smalls is one of the most legendary rappers of all time, and even the many partners he had at one time all speak quite fondly of him. Despite all the cheating instances and drama like that, rapper Charli Baltimore still has a lot of love for The Notorious B.I.G. Moreover, she recently sat down with VladTV for an interview, during which the rapper spoke about their relationship dynamic. Specifically, the Philly native pointed to the Brooklyn icon’s alleged fear of telling her that he impregnated his then-wife Faith Evans. This was one of many unclear romance “breaks” that he went on, which she also addressed.

“I think it was his mom that told me. I don’t even think it was him,” Charli Baltimore remarked. “His mom was telling him, ‘You need to tell her what’s going on.’ I guess he was kind of scared to tell me. If I’m not mistaken, it was [Biggie’s mom] that told me. I was just kind of in shock.” After this tale, the 49-year-old went into further detail about how they as a couple functioned together- or apart.

Read More: Charli Baltimore Says She Caught Biggie Cheating & Threw His Jewelry In LA Pool

Charli Baltimore Recalls Biggie’s Romance Balance

“We would have moments in our relationship where we would break up for short period of time, you know,” Charli Baltimore explained. “I think the longest was maybe a month, two months. We definitely will have our little spats and go into our on-again, off-again. I think the way he tried to explain it was, you know, it happened during one of our on-again, off-again situations. You know, guys are gonna say whatever they need to say to make themselves look less at fault when they know they’re really at fault.”

Meanwhile, Big’s wife recently shared some of her own reflections on their often bumpy but cherished bond. For example, the “Love Like This” MC praised his honesty when it came to infidelity and other relationship factors. With time, anyone who ever had the privilege of being around him realizes just how impactful and special he was- and still is. With that in mind, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Biggie Smalls, Charli Baltimore, and Faith Evans.

Read More: Faith Evans Reveals That Biggie Smalls Allegedly Let Her Collab With Tupac

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