Dion Roberts

Dion Michael Roberts, known affectionately by his loved ones as "Lil Dion," "Lil Dee," or "Dee," was a charismatic and respected 24-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland. Born on April 10, 1989, to Dion Roberts and Shelly Norman, he was described by his mother as an "exceptional child." From a young age, he showed a remarkable aptitude for learning, mastering video games by age two and fluently reading his mother's college textbooks by five. He excelled in reading and mathematics, earning numerous awards for his scholastic achievements throughout his education in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County school systems. After graduating from Northwestern High School, he attended Baltimore City Community College.

Dion was a young entrepreneur who loved his "Park Heights Family and Heritage" and his friends from Beehler Avenue. He had a passion for music and enjoyed rapping and recording tracks with his cousin. Known for his keen sense of style, he loved to shop and was often seen in his favorite True Religion jeans. His family remembered him as outgoing, outspoken, and true to himself, with a calm demeanor and a willingness to help anyone. He was a father to two children, a son named Dion Kyree Roberts and a daughter named Harlei Mercedes Roberts. He was close to his parents and was remembered as a true friend to many.

The morning of Monday, October 14, 2013, brought sudden and devastating violence to the Grove Park neighborhood. At approximately 7:21 a.m., police were called to the 3600 block of Bowers Avenue. There, they discovered Dion Roberts suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead. Dion, who lived on Haddon Avenue, also in Grove Park, became the city's 179th homicide victim of the year.

The Baltimore Police Department's homicide detectives immediately began an investigation into Dion's murder. However, the case was quickly hampered by a lack of cooperating witnesses, a common challenge in the city that often stalls the path to justice. Despite their efforts, investigators were unable to identify any suspects or determine a motive for the shooting. The circumstances that led to the gunfire that morning remain unclear to the public.

In the years since Dion's death, his case has grown cold. No arrests have been made, and no individuals have been publicly named as persons of interest. For his family, the absence of answers has compounded their grief. They are left with cherished memories of a beloved son, father, brother, and friend whose life was cut tragically short. His obituary reflects a large and loving family, including his parents, stepparents, siblings, grandparents, and a wide circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who continue to mourn his loss.

Dion's family held his funeral service at the New Shiloh Baptist Church, a place he would attend with them when invited. His death left a profound void in his community, a painful reminder of the human cost of unsolved gun violence. The investigation into the murder of Dion Roberts remains open. As of October 2013, police asked anyone with information to come forward and contact them at 410-396-2100. His family waits, still hoping that one day they will receive justice and an answer to the question of who took their loved one's life.