Three local teenagers were arrested by Baltimore Police officers on June 4 in connection with the murder of Israeli citizen Efraim Gordon. Two other suspects are involved in the case, according to charging documents, although police have not yet confirmed if they have been apprehended.
Police said they arrested and charged a 16-year-old male, 17-year-old male and 18-year-old Baltimore resident William Clinton III. Police said the motive was attempted robbery.
Detectives identified the suspects through video surveillance footage and physical evidence. The suspects were charged with first-degree murder and are currently being held at Central Booking without bail.
A resident of the West Bank settlement of Na’ale, Gordon, 31, was shot and killed on May 3 while visiting Northwest Baltimore for a cousin’s wedding during the holiday of Lag B’Omer. He was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso by police officers at approximately 12:05 a.m. in the 3700 block of Fords Lane, near Park Heights Avenue, on the doorstep of the home of his aunt and uncle where he was staying.
Gordon reportedly belonged to the Chabad Lubavitch movement and was a technology entrepreneur. He was buried in Israel.
“Thanks to the diligent work of the Baltimore Police Department, suspects in the heinous murder of Ephraim Gordon are now in custody,” Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. “My heart continues to be with Ephraim’s family in Baltimore and abroad in Israel. No family should be forced to endure the insufferable pain of losing a loved one to gun violence. As this family continues to heal, I remain committed to working with [Baltimore Police] Commissioner [Michael] Harrison to build a safer Baltimore and finally put a halt to the long legacy of gun violence that plagues our city.”
Gordon is survived by his parents, Boruch and Olga Gordon, his sister, Ella Gordon, and his brother, David Rader.
“He was one of the most positive people to ever exist, always ready to give a helping hand to everyone, even to strangers,” Gordon’s ’family wrote on the website thechesedfund.com. “He had a heart of gold. … He had his whole life in front of him and it was stolen from him and his family.”
Said Baltimore City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer: “The arrest of the suspects in the brutal murder of Ephraim Gordon are a welcome next step in holding the perpetrators accountable and pursuing justice. We are grateful for the fantastic work done by the BPD Detectives and the cooperation of the community that made these arrests possible. We continue to grieve with Ephraim’s family and it is our prayer that as we continue work together, we can reduce crime and violence across Baltimore City.”
Last Wednesday, June 2, a service was held at Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Pikesville marking the end of the shloshim, or traditional 30-day mourning period, for Gordon. More than 400 people attended the service.
Among the spiritual leaders who spoke were Rabbi Moshe Heinemann of Agudath Israel of Baltimore, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan of Chabad Lubavitch Maryland Region, Rabbi Shmuel Silber of Suburban Orthodox and Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon of Beis Lubavitch of Baltimore. Also in attendance were Schleifer and State Sen. Jill P. Carter, Del. Dalya Attar, Samuel I. “Sandy” Rosenberg and Tony Bridges, all Democrats of the 41st District.
“Efraim so much enjoyed his family and new friends,” said Rabbi Lisbon. “There are memories of joy. May this bring comfort to his family. “
The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West, which arranged the program for young musicians, blends Western orchestral music with Middle Eastern traditions.
The BCO, founded in 1984, will perform the works of Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Mason Bates and Karena Ingram.
For more than 130 years, Sol Levinson & Bros. has been woven into the fabric of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
