Baltimore, MD — Jacquelyn Smith, a 52-year old woman from Baltimore who stopped her car to give some money to a homeless woman and her baby, was stabbed to death by a man nearby. Officials are warning people to be more cautious of what seems to be a rampant crime nowadays.
Police said, on Saturday at around 12:30 a.m., Smith and her family were driving on Valley Street in Johnston Square, Baltimore when they noticed a woman who appeared to be carrying a baby and holding a sign that read, “Please Help me feed my Baby.”
Smith, who was in the front passenger seat, rolled down her window to give money to the woman. A man approached the car pretending to thank Smith for her help but then tried to reach inside to grab her wallet and necklace.
That’s when a struggle started, according to police. The man then pulled out a knife and stabbed Smith in the torso. The man fled on foot with the woman who was earlier panhandling.
Smith’s husband and daughter, who was with her in the car, brought her to the hospital where she died shortly after.
Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh expressed sorrow over the killing and advised people to be wary about such incidents.
“While crime is trending down in our City, one life lost is one life too many. This is a terrible tragedy for the Smith family and our hearts go out to them,” she said. “We are deploying all available resources within our Police Department to find and bring to justice those responsible for this senseless act against Mrs. Jacquelyn Smith who merely thought she was helping a person in need.
“Particularly in this season when we are inclined to give to those we perceive to need a helping hand, we urge all to exercise extra judgment and caution.”
Many people are sad about the killing and the fact that they should have to think twice before helping.
“It makes you wonder now if you want to roll your window down and help. It makes it hard and makes it more dangerous for people who really want to help people. It’s a sad day and my condolences go out to the family,” Baltimore City District 12 Councilman Robert Stokes told CNN. “With the holidays coming up, people want to help in some kind of way and it makes it very difficult to help.”
Police are still searching for the man, described as a Black male in his 30s and about 6″ tall with a goatee, and the woman, described as a Black female in her 20’s and about 5’4″ tall. It was not confirmed yet if they really have a baby with them.
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