Family and friends hold vigil for Ernest Hall, victim of mass shooting
Family and friends gathered Tuesday to remember a Baltimore boxer killed in a mass shooting last week.
Ernest Hall, 32, was killed and five others were injured in a shooting on March 23. As police continue to investigate, loved ones hope to continue Hall's legacy, both in and out of the boxing ring.
Those close to him often, like his brother Joel Johnson Jr., called him "Ernie Bug."
"Ernie had tons and tons and tons of energy. You would always see him running, working out or doing something. If you weren't doing it, he would be like, 'Come on, let's go. We're going for a run,'" Johnson said.
Hall opened Lightning Quick Fit, a gym on Morton Street in Midtown.
A fighter he coached, Victoria Stillwell, said he welcomed everyone and aimed to ensure opportunities for Baltimore's youth.
"It doesn't matter what your background is, (or) what your health is, maybe you never jumped rope before in your life. He would work with you, and he would build you up," Stillwell said.
The coach and father was at his gym hours before he was shot and killed in west Baltimore. Police said Thursday that multiple shooters exited a vehicle on Edmondson Avenue and fired their weapons. Officers found four men and a 15-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds.
They also found Hall, who died at the scene.
Family members like Araf Al Ndee Al Apache are still reeling over the event.
"To take a gun because you don't want to look at a different solution is cowardice. To shoot into a crowd of people and a 15-year-old child is shot is cowardice. How do you sleep at night?" he said.
The family is now asking everyone to take action against violence so that another community champion is not taken too soon.
"He was a visionary. He thought a lot about the future. He was always learning. He was always trying to be better. He was always trying to do better for other people," said friend Kristen Catchings.
Hall's brother will be taking over his gym. His family is looking for help from the community. Anyone willing to help with their vision can call 667-415-0546 or contribute to their GoFundMe here.