Son of Baltimore housing official fatally shot in city

In a city plagued by violence, Reginald Scriber, Baltimore’s deputy housing commissioner, has spent decades working to give people safer communities and homes.

On Tuesday, Scriber was devastated to learn that violence had reached his front door.

Scriber’s son, also named Reginald Scriber, of the 100 block of South Morley Street, was found around 7:50 p.m. Tuesday with a gunshot wound in the 100 block of North Culver Street, according to police. The 40-year-old was taken to an area hospital where he later died.

Baltimore’s problems hit home in a new way, Scriber said Thursday.

“No way in the world we thought a child would pass before I did,” he said. “I’ve been crying for days.”

Baltimore has experienced 210 reported homicides in 2018.

Every day, Scriber said, he reads news reports and discusses with his colleagues how to address the violence in the city.

Several city officials, including Mayor Catherine Pugh, have reached out with condolences, Scriber said.

Scriber knew his son was not perfect, but he was a good person, the deputy housing commissioner said. When Scriber was recovering from surgery in the spring, his son spent days by his side.

“He loved his father,” said Scriber, adding that he’s going to cherish the 40 years of moments he did get with his child.

Despite his son’s death, Scriber still trusts the city’s efforts to reduce violence.

“It’s all about the young people,” he said. “They need to go to school and get educated and get jobs. They don’t think about the human element [of crimes].”

Still, he does not believe a solution will take hold overnight.

“I’m at a point where I don’t know what the next steps to take are,” he said.