Three-Year-Old Killed In Shootout At Barber Shop

Just as he was about to get a haircut on his third birthday, James Smith III’s life ended in a barber’s chair when he was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between two men.

“All I did was took him to get a haircut and this is the result I get - my baby gone,” James’ mother, Cheryl Whittington, said through tears Friday. “He was my pride and joy … I’m left with no one and it’s not right.”

Police filed murder charges Friday against the two young men suspected in the shootout Thursday night at Fresh Cutzz barbershop in southwest Baltimore.

Police said Maurice Blevins, 19, walked in and fired at customer Kenya Davis, hitting him in the arm and leg. Davis, 20, pulled out his own gun and fired back. Blevins fled but was arrested Friday night at a relative’s home.

The boy was shot in the head. Investigators do not yet know whose bullet killed him.

Late Friday morning, someone had placed a bouquet of flowers at the entrance to the closed barbershop.

Floyd Turner, who has worked at the A&B Food Market just down the street for several years, said he has watched the neighborhood slowly decline.

“It’s worse than I’ve ever seen it,” Turner said.

“I don’t think it’s going to get any better.”