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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

410-723-6397

Shooting death in Pocomoke City

(Dec. 8, 2016) James Allen Jr., 26, of Pitts Circle in Pocomoke City, died of multiple gunshot wounds last Thursday night during an incident that took place in area of the town’s Fourth and Market streets, the Maryland State Police said.
Shortly after 10 p.m. that night, police received a 911 call from a passing motorist who reported seeing a man stagger and fall in the middle of the road.
Police believe the shooting occurred about an eighth of a mile away, in the area of Fourth and Oxford streets.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene and led the investigation. Those investigators are being assisted by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, MSP Criminal Enforcement Division investigators, the Pocomoke City Police Department, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and state police.
Crime scene evidence has been taken to the State Police Forensic Sciences Division crime laboratory for analysis.
Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore at 410-548-1776 is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Callers may remain anonymous.
State police spokeswoman Elena Russo said on Tuesday no new information about the case has been made public, but confirmed that so far, this incident has no connection to other incidents of unrest nearby.
In late July, several law enforcement agencies responded to the area of Fourth and Laurel Streets, about five blocks away from where the shooting is believed to have occurred, for a large altercation resulting in two arrests.
In early October three juveniles, two females and a male were arrested out of a larger group of individuals on minor charges for blocking the street in the same area.  
Residents of the area complained to City Council about large groups of individuals roaming the streets and displaying unruly and defiant behavior.
The residents asked the council to consider a curfew, which it did — even going so far as to hold a public hearing on the topic. However, the idea was ultimately rejected as the town decided to reinforce the strategy of “community policing.” This strategy hinges on increased police presence in certain locations to breed familiarity between officers and residents.
The town, at the time, also said it would look closely at installing a police substation in the area.