Shooting victim is mourned

December 17, 2002|by PEPPER BALLARD

HAGERSTOWN - Even though Carl Anthony Wallace wasn't from Hagerstown, residents of the Jonathan Street neighborhood mourned his death Monday.

Wallace, 28, a New Jersey native, was gunned down Saturday morning near the intersection of Jonathan and Charles streets in Hagerstown. On Monday, a memorial of luminaires, flower bouquets and wreaths marked the spot where Wallace fell.

"The community cares," said Constance Jackson, 38, a Bethel Street resident. "We do care, not because he's an outsider but because he's somebody's child."

Hagerstown City Police were looking for Frederick County, Md., resident Karim Ali Ward, 27, who has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and two handgun violations in the shooting.

He remained at large Monday night.

Wallace moved to Hagerstown from Asbury Park, N.J., six weeks ago to be with a girlfriend, according to published reports.

The shooting is believed to have occurred following a fistfight between the girlfriends of the two men, police said.

It's tragic, said Larry Jones, 49. "Another life was lost."

Cathy Frisby, 43, said a shooting would be tragic whether the person came from Connecticut, New York or Hagerstown.

David Gaines, 49, a North Jonathan Street resident, said he never saw or knew Wallace, but thinks the memorial makes the statement that violence doesn't belong in Hagerstown or in his neighborhood.

"Violence doesn't belong, but sometimes you're just not there at the right time to stop it," said Gaines.

Gaines, who lives near where the shooting occurred, said he didn't hear any shots because he was asleep in a back bedroom.

HotSpot Coordinator Carolyn Brooks said Monday she doesn't know who put up the makeshift memorial.

"It's not uncommon for people to do this when these things happen," Brooks said.

"It shouldn't happen around a small community like this," said Ryan Monroe, 43, a North Jonathan Street resident.

Frisby said she hopes police will look into crime that continues to come from outside Hagerstown.

Carmen Wiggins, 37, said she worries the shootings that have occurred on or near Jonathan Street in the past reflect poorly on her community. She also said she feels sorry for the victim.

"I just hope they catch the person," she said.

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