Erica Sterling, a 54-year-old resident of Baltimore, Maryland, tragically lost her life in a mass shooting near a carry-out restaurant in the Belair-Edison neighborhood on the evening of December 15, 2025.
The incident unfolded just before 11 p.m. in the 3400 block of Belair Road near Mayfield Avenue, where surveillance footage captured gunfire shattering glass and causing chaos inside N.Y. Chicken Fish & Grill. Sterling, who was sitting on a ledge outside with her back to the storefront, was fatally struck and pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency efforts.
Authorities responded to two ShotSpotter alerts detecting a total of 33 rounds fired, with the first signaling 11 shots in the 2800 block of Mayfield Avenue and the second registering 22 rounds along Belair Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered two men, ages 20 and 24, with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, while two additional men, ages 25 and 31, sought treatment independently at a nearby hospital.
The shooting disrupted the Belair-Edison community, occurring mere blocks from a Safe Streets violence intervention site, prompting local organizers to schedule a community meeting and shooting response event in the days following. Investigators continue examining surveillance video and potential motives, with no arrests announced as the probe focuses on identifying those responsible for the targeted yet chaotic outbreak. This event contributes to ongoing concerns about gun violence in Baltimore’s northeast districts.
Erica Sterling leaves behind a devoted husband, six children, and four grandchildren, for whom she served as a central figure of love and stability in their Baltimore lives. Her family-oriented lifestyle emphasized nurturing these bonds, providing encouragement and presence that shaped daily experiences across generations. The profound loss resonates deeply within her household, underscoring the personal devastation amid broader communal impacts.
The Belair-Edison neighborhood rallies in response, with initiatives like coat drives and support gatherings aimed at healing and prevention in the wake of this tragedy. Though additional details on Sterling’s professional pursuits or hobbies remain private during the investigation, the emphasis centers on her role as a cherished family anchor whose warmth enriched those closest to her. Community leaders stress resources for affected residents as authorities pursue leads.
Erica Sterling lived a life well lived, marked by profound devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren in Baltimore, Maryland. Her legacy endures through the loving family she nurtured and the quiet strength she provided in everyday moments. In this period of mourning, her memory stands as a testament to embracing familial bonds and resilience within the vibrant yet challenged fabric of Belair-Edison community life.