Source: Baltimorejewishlife
An arrest has been made in the shocking murder of Ephraim Gordon.
Three Suspects have been taken into custody after extensive community engagement and Baltimore police’s release of a video on Wednesday May 12, 2021 of two persons of interest in connection with the killing.
City police said Friday evening that detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and William Clinton III, 18, all of Baltimore, all of whom remain held at Central Booking without bail on first-degree murder charges.
The $30,000 reward that was offered and the presence of Mayor Brandon Scott and Police Commissioner Harrison for a large community walk are also credited for bringing heighted focus on this case. The case garnered international attention and Jewish communities throughout the world were paying attention to this case and calling on these suspects being brought to justice.
Ephraim Gordon, z’l, 31, was shot and killed on May 3, 2021 in the 3700 block of Fords Lane in northwest Baltimore. Ephraim, visiting from Israel, was in Baltimore for his cousin’s wedding when he was confronted and shot by the suspect(s) in the early morning hours on Fords Lane near Park Heights. What has been described by authorities as a “robbery that went really wrong” completely rocked the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community in a way that has not been felt since the murder of Esther Lebowitz in 1969.
The community owes a significant debt of gratitude to Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer and Delegate Dalya Attar for coordinating, police resources to highlight this unacceptable and tragic event. With the additional assistance of Baltimore Shomrim Safety Patrol (BSSP) and other community leaders cooperating with authorities, suspects were finally apprehended.
“Results like these only happen when there is strong community collaboration”, said Nathan Willner, BSSP General Counsel. “Community safety is a three-legged stool, when you have Police, Government and Community all moving in the same direction, the desired result will be reached, and the perpetrators can be held accountable.”
Councilman Schleifer noted, “I am relieved that an arrest was made. I am grateful to the community and the Baltimore Police Detectives for bringing some solace to the victim’s family by arresting these cowardly criminals. There is unfortunately a lot of work still required. The level of violence we face in Baltimore City is outrageous, it is completely unacceptable for anyone to be able to get away with murder. At least in this case violent crime will have consequences.”
Delegate Attar commented, “I want to thank the Baltimore Police Department for their tireless and thorough work that led to arrests of three suspects in this horrific murder of Efraim Gordon z”l. I can attest to the countless hours the homicide detectives spent investigating this murder, which led to the beginning of justice being served.
I will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure these individuals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, justice is served, and Efraim’s family can possibly find some peace.
May Efraim’s memory continue to be a blessing, and may his neshama have an aliyah.
