Nov 18, 2009 6:55 pm US/Eastern
Police Investigate Catonsville Murder
CATONSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore County police are investigating a deadly shooting at a convenience store in Catonsville.
CBS
Baltimore County police are investigating a deadly shooting at a convenience store in Catonsville.
Weijia Jiang reports police are now searching for the gunman responsible.
Family members describe the victim as a loving man who was likely just trying to help a friend when a stranger ended his life.
"He just had the most, biggest, huge, loving heart, and it will be so, so missed," said Judy Hodges, victim's friend.
Brian Meise, 52, was shot and killed on Tuesday night during an armed robbery.
It happened at the Yours Convenience Store in Catonsville located at the 700-block of Frederick Avenue. The store owner was also shot.
"It almost appears that the business owner just wanted him to take the money and leave the store, so we're a little befuddled by why he felt the need to shoot either victim in this case," said Cpl. Mike Hill, Baltimore County Police spokesperson.
Meise's family says he lived in a basement apartment just a few hundred feet away from the shop.
Family members say Meise walked to the store almost every night because he was good friends with the owner and would help make small repairs. They believe Meise was probably serving as a peacemaker when he was shot.
"Knowing him, he probably did try to mitigate things, calm them down and tell the guy to leave," said Bill Bowen, stepfather.
Known for his generosity and cheerful personality, they call his death a tragedy for the entire community where he was born, raised and worked as a contractor.
"He was a saint to Catonsville. Everybody loved him," said Bowen.
"There's so many people in Catonsville that I think Brian was their lifeline. He was so willing to let people stay with him, buy them dinner, whatever. He was just so generous," said Shannon Kaiser, victim's sister.
Police don't know why, or more importantly who, pulled the trigger.
"The black male wearing dark clothing entered the business about 7 o'clock to rob the business," said Hill.
As police look for the suspect, family members focus on Meise's memory.
"It's all just starting to sink in now, you know our childhood. You know, we were all real close, and he was always there," said John Meise, brother.
The store owner is expected to survive. Police will speak with him as he recovers to catch the shooter.
Police are looking at possible links between the shooting and a robbery involving a gun that happened last week at a Catonsville liquor store.
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