Annapolis Police Identify Man Shot in the Head, Killed on Obery Court

The Annapolis Police Department has named the man who died after being shot in the head  on Obery Court.

On March 2, 2023,at approximately 5:15pm, officers responded to the 100 block of Obery Court following reports of a shooting.  "Officers arrived and located an African American male victim, later identified as Mr. Raphael Hilton Johnson Jr., suffering from a single gunshot wound to the back of his head," the police department said in a statement.  "The Annapolis Fire Department arrived at the scene, where they pronounced Mr. Johnson deceased at approximately 5:26pm."

No arrests or persons of interest have been identified.  

Mayor Gavin Buckley issued the following statement:

“In the wake of the homicide that occurred overnight, I want to express condolences to the victim, the victim’s family, and our neighbors in the Clay Street community.The Annapolis community deserves to live in safety and peace. An incident like this; a shooting in broad daylight, in an area where children play and families sit on their porch after a long day's work, is frightening and disturbing. That there are people who can readily access guns and think it is acceptable to use violence, is infuriating and frustrating.

I have said on numerous occasions that guns do not solve problems. Murder is never an appropriate response to a dispute.

Annapolis is not the place to commit crime. Annapolis Police Department detectives are very good at what they do. They have worked to build capacity and effective partnerships with other agencies to prevent and solve crimes. They will find the suspect and that person will face the legal consequences brought about by these actions. 

Building a safer community is up to all of us. Keep an eye out; share any information that you have that will help us find the perpetrator of this crime as well as help prevent future crimes. Stand against the perpetuation of gun culture; stand against violence. 

I ask people to do some things this weekend: lay down your weapons, hug your kids, keep the deceased, and all victims of violence in your thoughts, and share any information you have that will help us solve this crime."