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People in the Baltimore restaurant community are mourning one of their own.Michael "Chef Mike" Bates Jr., 46, was killed early Wednesday by three men in southwest Baltimore, city police said. Police said Bates was attacked by the trio, who robbed him. Police said Bates complied with their demands but they still shot him.Bates' friends and loved ones said he had a passion for the kitchen and was well-known and liked in many restaurants across the city. He even taught cooking at one time in the Baltimore City school system. Those close to him said Bates served as a real role model."He was positive. We need to see things like that in the community, let the guys know, the young kids know that there's another way out in the normal drugs guns and violence," said Adam Black, a friend of the victim.City police said officers were called around 2:30 a.m. to the 4600 block of Pen Lucy Road in southwest Baltimore for a shooting. Police said the three men were armed with guns when they announced a robbery to Bates as he sat in his car."He complied. He did everything he was supposed to. When bad guys are trying to rob him, he gave them property, and they still shot him, and they shot and killed him in this situation," said T.J. Smith, chief of media relations for the Baltimore Police Department.Bates died at a hospital."It's unfair. It's cowardly. It's any word that you want to describe it. It was just shocking," Black said.Friends and loved ones began posting messages on Facebook, remembering "Chef Mike." They said he loved cigars and having a good time, but most of all, he wanted to make people happy through his cooking."That was his passion, for somebody like him, to follow his dreams, to follow his passion. He wanted to own his own restaurant someday. I felt like he was definitely going to get there, because he still had time. It's really unfortunate," Black said.Police said they have talked to a few witnesses but are still looking for help. Anyone with information should call police at 410-396-2100, or text a tip to 443-902-4824.Get the WBAL-TV News App