Baltimore's Afro American newspaper began its tribute to their murdered colleague this way: "Charles Bowman, 72, was the source of smiles, assistance, goodwill and friendship at the Afro-American Newspapers and with his family."
Bowman was shot and killed early Thursday while ordering dinner at an Asian carryout on Greenmount Avenue. He was on his way to work his overnight security shift at the Afro when police say two men tried to robbed the carryout, shot Bowman in the chest and escaped with $13 taken from another patron. At left, homicide detective holds up a flier distributed by police in hopes of finding witnesses. It was taken by the Sun's Jed Kirschbaum.
Police have been scouring the area for clues, business owners along Greenmount are frustrated with what they feel is neglect by the city of their efforts to bring back a blighted section of the city and family and friends of the victim are outraged.
As the Afro's editor Talibah Chikwendu told me: "Everybody lost. Not just us and not just his family. The whole city."
Here is part of how the Afro honored their fallen colleague:
This morning when AFRO staff arrived, for the first time in almost eight years, Bowman's warm, welcoming smile wasn’t there to greet them. The reason left the staff devastated by the sudden, senseless loss. "He didn't deserve to die the way he did," said co-worker and friend Clarence Massey.
Bowman touched the lives of AFRO staffers as completely as he did his own family.
Marquise Goodwin said he went with her to purchase a car, ensuring a salesmen didn't take advantage of her. Cassandra Stanback tearfully acknowledged his interest in her success and the caring advice he freely shared. Several people spoke of his regular contributions to the AFRO’s mid-week cookouts – 7-Up pound cake.
Sam Graham, his supervisor and friend, said, "Just him, first thing in the morning, talking in his voice and all ... I'll just miss seeing him.”