BPD investigates potential hate crime after Sacred White Knights note found in Fells Point

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is investigating a potential hate crime that took place in Fells Point on July 17. According to BPD, investigators found a plastic bag containing rocks and a note from a white supremacist organization on the 1600 block of Thames Street. 

A photo of the note obtained by the AFRO shows that it included the name of the Sacred White Knights—alongside the group’s website and phone number—and referenced teen gatherings that have taken place in the neighborhood. It read: “Teen takeovers should result in teen chain gangs! Try to spit in our faces!!!” 

The Sacred White Knights, based in Pelham, N.C., was formed by former members of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a now-defunct Klan organization. BPD said surveillance footage showed a silver Jeep dropping off the bags in the area, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. 

One employee of a business on the block, who asked to remain anonymous, reacted to the incident. 

“It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard—the lengths they go to for hate,” he said. “It’d be nice if they could put this energy into something helpful for people.” 

He recognized that the teen gatherings have caused disruptions across the city, but said they haven’t been a serious problem in the area as of late. He mentioned that police have begun placing barricades around Fells Point to curb late-night gatherings. 

The employee questioned whether the perpetrators expected the bags of rocks to be thrown at teens. 

“If they wanted the issue to be solved, wouldn’t they say ‘why don’t you put some place where these teens could go here?’” he continued. “Instead, they are like, ‘No, let’s throw rocks at them.’”

One business owner on the block said she was upset but did not want to discuss the incident further. 

Another shop owner, Darron Waller, was not surprised by the incident. His store, Mahogany Makers, is the only Black-owned business on the block. 

“We’ve been here for the past 18 months, and we haven’t had any racial issues or anything like that,” said Waller. “But, this is the United States, and racism is like apple pie.” 

He urged residents and business owners to remain vigilant and to pay attention to activity in their communities.

“Everybody should be aware and keep a lookout for what’s going on in their community, whether it’s down here or in West Baltimore, East Baltimore or anywhere,” said Waller. 

Waller also said he believes the ongoing issue of teens gathering in Fells Point is driven in part by gentrification in nearby Black neighborhoods and a lack of places for young people to spend time. 

“I just want the young people to be safe when they come down here,” said Waller. “I hope they aren’t impacted by some racists and crazy people.”msayles@afro.com

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