The Baltimore Sentinel Post

BALTIMORE — Matthew Garrick, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, was shot once at the back of the head Tuesday evening during a public forum at the Dawson Center on North Avenue, according to Baltimore Police Department sources. He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 8:41 p.m.

A 19-year-old Westport resident, identified by police as Antonio Moretti, was taken into custody Wednesday evening at Maria's Restaurant on the west side, thirty-two hours after the shooting. Officers reported finding the suspect in the basement-level kitchen area. No resistance was offered.

According to Executive Protection Director James Alford, a witness described seeing a white male in a white t-shirt moving west from the lectern area immediately following the shot. Body camera footage from officers on scene has not been made available pending review.

Mayor Charles Dawson, in brief remarks outside City Hall, called the killing 'a senseless act of violence against a public servant who spent his career fighting for Baltimore's future.' The mayor announced a $25,000 reward for information related to the shooting.

Deputy Mayor Garrick, 54, had served in city government for eleven years. He was the principal architect of the Westport Redevelopment Initiative and had been a visible advocate for the city's harbor expansion bond proposal, which is currently before the City Council.

The Baltimore Sentinel Post will continue to follow developments in this story.