Sep 23, 2008 9:33 am US/Eastern
City Council Honors Ken Harris
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Council members looked back at the life of Ken Harris after masked gunmen ended his life.
CBS
A private viewing will be held Tuesday for former City Councilman Ken Harris.
Mike Schuh reports as the investigation continues to find his killer those that knew hime are speaking out.
Council members looked back at the life of Ken Harris after masked gunmen ended his life. .
With heavy hearts, Baltimore's city council paid tribute to their colleague, former Councilman Ken Harris, who devoted his life to serving the city he loved.
"We read in the paper where people are murdered every day, but this one was family," said Nicholas D'Adamo, Jr.
Masked robbers shot Harris just after one o'clock Saturday morning at the Haven, a jazz club near Morgan State University.
"It is our duty and our responsibility to find the persons who caused and took on such a heinous crime," said Helen Holton.
Police released a picture of a mask one of the robbers left behind and they've interviewed witnesses, reportedly including a woman who accompanied Harris to the club. Police have made no arrests.
"We owe it to Kenny to find these killers. Kenny didn't leave us; he was taken from us. He was taken from us in cold blood," said Keiffer Mitchell.
Investigators believe the same men are behind another armed robbery at the Haven in July. They're looking into whether that mask was used in other crimes and whether it provides DNA evidence.
Representative Elijah Cummings made this plea: "Please, please pick up the phone and tell police what you know. If it happens to Ken Harris, it can happen to any of us."
Harris leaves behind a wife, two children and a legacy of fighting to stop the violence that ended his own life.
"He didn't betray his mother, his background, his church, his family, his community--ever. What more can you say about a man, except he rest in peace. God bless him and God bless us all," said Mary Pat Clarke.
Meanwhile, a dramatic piece of evidence is discovered at the crime scene where former city Councilman Ken Harris was found dead.
A mask one of the armed robbers wore, found near the crime scene, is a key clue to solving the murder of Harris.
Council members looked back at the life of Ken Harris after masked gunmen ended his life. .With heavy hearts, Baltimore's city council paid tribute to their colleague, former Councilman Ken Harris, who devoted his life to serving the city he loved."We read in the paper where people are murdered every day, but this one was family," said Nicholas D'Adamo, Jr.Masked robbers shot Harris just after one o'clock Saturday morning at the Haven, a jazz club near Morgan State University."It is our duty and our responsibility to find the persons who caused and took on such a heinous crime," said Helen Holton.Police released a picture of a mask one of the robbers left behind and they've interviewed witnesses, reportedly including a woman who accompanied Harris to the club. Police have made no arrests."We owe it to Kenny to find these killers. Kenny didn't leave us; he was taken from us. He was taken from us in cold blood," said Keiffer Mitchell.Investigators believe the same men are behind another armed robbery at the Haven in July. They're looking into whether that mask was used in other crimes and whether it provides DNA evidence. Representative Elijah Cummings made this plea: "Please, please pick up the phone and tell police what you know. If it happens to Ken Harris, it can happen to any of us."Harris leaves behind a wife, two children and a legacy of fighting to stop the violence that ended his own life."He didn't betray his mother, his background, his church, his family, his community--ever. What more can you say about a man, except he rest in peace. God bless him and God bless us all," said Mary Pat Clarke.Meanwhile, a dramatic piece of evidence is discovered at the crime scene where former city Councilman Ken Harris was found dead.A mask one of the armed robbers wore, found near the crime scene, is a key clue to solving the murder of Harris. Police have combed the area around The Haven jazz club as part of an intense investigation to find the masked gunmen behind the murder of Ken Harris.
Authorities have interviewed witnesses but have made no arrests.
They have released a picture of a Halloween mask one of the men was wearing. It was found several blocks away.
"I think at the time, they didn't know what they did. They had no idea at the time this guy was an icon of the city and had done so much," said Carl Mills.
Police are looking into whether the mask was used in other crimes and whether it can provide some DNA evidence.
"The other two were wearing baseball-style caps, one of which we know to be red in color," said Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.
The club's owner Keith Covington told
Eyewitness News the robbers confronted him and Harris outside the front door. They were hiding behind a support column.
"Placed a gun to my forehead, screaming, 'open the door' laced with profanity," said Covington. "Through the corner of my eye, I catch Ken moving to get to his car. I hear the gunshot."
Covington later fired three shots at the robbers. Police are unsure whether any of the bullets from his revolver hit them.
They believe Harris's murderer is linked to an armed robbery at the club July 8.
According to police reports, in the past two months, the area has seen 10 thefts, 9 assaults, eight burglaries, four shootings and two robberies.
Community activist Jeffrey Wright spoke on why it's critical to solve this case.
"It's vitally important to the culture of Baltimore to send a message to others who are thinking about doing the same thing," said Wright. "We hope that his death will not be in vein."
The armed robbers escaped out the back door where scraps of crime tape still hang.
Police have reviewed surveillance video, possible from a camera pointed just a few feet away.
"Hopefully, with correct investigation, they'll be caught," said Carl Mills.
Funeral plans for Harris are complete. His memorial service will be held Thursday at Morgan State University's Murphy Fine Arts Center at 11 a.m.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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