9 killed in Baltimore over the Memorial Day weekend

Delia Goncalves | WUSA-TV

Show Caption Hide Caption 35 people killed in Baltimore's deadliest May since '99 According to police, 35 people have been killed this May in Baltimore, 9 alone over the Memorial Day Weekend. The spike in violence is happening in West Baltimore where Freddie Gray died in police custody earlier this year.

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misidentified where City Councilman Bill Henry is from. He represents Baltimore's 4th District.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- With a week still left in the month, this has already been the deadliest May in Baltimore since 1999.

According to Baltimore City Police, 35 people have been killed so far. Detectives are investigating 9 murders and about 30 shootings that happened over the Memorial Day weekend alone, including a 9-year-old boy who was shot in the leg. This record-setting violence is happening in West Baltimore - ground zero for the Freddie Gray riots and protests. Police have not given a reason for the spike in crime.

Police Commissioner Anthony Batts will reassign veteran officers, captains, and commanders to West Baltimore who have developed strong relationships with the neighbors there over the year. Batts says police will have a "visible and consistent" presence in the community.

But City Councilman Bill Henry, who represents Baltimore's 4th District, says paying police more to patrol the streets is not the answer. He believes the violence will unfortunately continue until young men are able to get jobs. Councilman Henry tells the Baltimore Sun "The underground economy is more attractive when the above ground economy isn't built for you."