Baltimore Daily Local Briefing

Violence Near Mondawmin Mall Prompts Safety Concerns

Baltimore police are continuing to investigate a mass shooting outside Mondawmin Mall that left one person dead and three others injured earlier this week. The attack happened in the parking lot near a restaurant along Liberty Heights Avenue, drawing a large police response and forcing street closures around the mall area.

Investigators say multiple victims were found after gunfire was detected by technology and reported by witnesses. Community members have voiced renewed concern about safety around the busy transit and shopping hub, and police are asking anyone with information or video to come forward as they work to identify suspects and a motive.

Two Separate Shootings Under Investigation

City detectives are also probing two additional shootings reported on February 18. In the Southern District, an unidentified man was found with multiple gunshot wounds on Washington Boulevard and taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Earlier that same day in West Baltimore, officers responding to calls about gunfire on McCulloh Street discovered another man nearby on Presstman Street suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital in critical but stable condition. Detectives in both districts are seeking tips from the public as they piece together what led up to the violence.

Shots Fired on I-95 Raise Highway Safety Worries

State transportation police continue to investigate reports of shots fired on northbound Interstate 95 near the Hanover Street exit. A driver in a gray sedan told officers that someone in a light-blue vehicle opened fire late Sunday morning. No one was injured, but the incident briefly disrupted traffic and added to growing concerns about gun violence spilling onto major roadways.

Authorities say any dashcam footage from drivers in the area could be critical to confirming what happened and identifying those involved.

Maryland Human Services Leadership Changes Touch Baltimore

At the state level, Maryland’s Department of Human Services is undergoing a leadership transition that will be closely watched in Baltimore, where many families rely on its programs. Secretary Rafael López is stepping down for health reasons, with Deputy Secretary Gloria Brown Burnett serving on an interim basis.

Lawmakers recently pressed agency leaders about persistent problems in child welfare oversight and data reporting. Baltimore County administrator Stacy Rodgers is slated to take over as acting secretary this spring, and advocates are looking for clearer plans to improve safety and services for vulnerable children across the city and state.

Sources

https://www.baltimorepolice.org/news/media-advisory-february-18-2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondawmin_Mall
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/multiple-people-shot-outside-mondawmin-041616907.html
https://nationaltoday.com/us/md/baltimore/news/2026/02/16/shots-fired-on-i-95-under-investigation-in-baltimore
https://marylandmatters.org/2026/02/19/new-faces-at-human-services-same-challenges-as-before-for-interim-secretary
https://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/marylands-dhs-secretary-resigns-over-health-issues