While the city of Baltimore grappled with a series of deadly weekend incidents that occurred within hours of each other, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott turned his attention to the performing arts.
Video circulating on social media showed Scott taking the microphone at The Douglass Lounge, where he rapped to the crowd on Sunday.
The Democrat mayor’s musical performance occurred as Baltimore Police investigated several deaths across the city, including two vehicle-related killings and two fatal stabbings.
A three-year-old girl died in a hit-and-run after being struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by a 14-year-old who authorities said stole the car from a family member.
In a separate incident, a 56-year-old woman was stabbed to death. Police said a 50-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
Elsewhere, a 19-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle while riding a scooter, while a 24-year-old man was fatally shot inside a local business.
Baltimore experienced a steep surge in some types of crime in 2026, reversing the decline seen in the years before, according to figures analyzed by the Baltimore Sun.
This included an 11.3 percent rise in aggravated assaults up to June 8, 2026, compared with the same period in 2025, and a 4.7 percent rise in nonfatal shootings.