GoFundMe Created For Family Members Killed By Relative In Joppatowne

JOPPATOWNE, MD ? A GoFundMe has been created to help with the memorial services for family members who were fatally shot Aug. 26 in a Joppatowne apartment by a relative who then shot himself.

Authorities say Devin Brown, 34, of Baltimore fatally shot his mother, Sherlyn Ann Pitts, 65, of Baltimore; her niece, Sheena Yvonne Smothers, 38; and Smothers' 17-year-old son Jaylin.

Shawnta Matthews and three others created theGoFundMe. Matthews shared that Sherlyn was the oldest of six siblings and nearing retirement. Jaylin, the 17-year-old, was a senior in high school and the only child of Sheena, who also was an only child.

"As the family has been grieving, many close friends and loved ones have shown their support by reaching out and sending their condolences. It has been so greatly appreciated. We decided to build this page in order to assist with the many costs that accompany laying loved ones to rest ... Our family thanks you all so much for the continued support and arrangement details will be released soon," Matthews said.

According to the sheriff's office, Brown and his mother went to the apartment to visit Smothers, and at some point during the visit, Brown pulled out a gun and shot the three family members before turning the gun on himself.

Deputies received a report of an active shooter at 11:18 a.m. in the 300 block of Trimble Road. When they arrived at the apartment, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. The three adults were confirmed dead at the scene; the teenager was severely injured. A deputy trained as a tactical medic evacuated the teen from the active crime scene and began providing emergency care. Jaylin was taken to Shock Trauma, where he later died from his injuries.

Anyone with information about this crime, or who may have video of the incident, is asked to call Detective Logan Thumma, with the Harford County Sheriff?s Office Criminal Investigations Division, at (443) 567-7201.