Cummings Nephew Killed In Off-Campus Shooting
The 20-year-old nephew of Rep. Elijah Cummings was killed last week.
Christopher Cummings, a native of Woodbridge, Va., and a student at Old Dominion University, was fatally shot Friday in his off-campus apartment. A roommate, Jake Carey, was also shot but not fatally wounded.
“My family and I remain in shock over the news of the random shooting that took the life of my nephew, Christopher,” Rep. Cummings said in a statement issued Sunday.
Christopher Cummings was the son of James Cummings, the Congressman’s brother. A funeral is planned in Baltimore for Saturday at the Victory Prayer Chapel.
The Congressman, who plans to work this week on Capitol Hill, said his nephew “was an amazing young man who was loved and admired by so many people who had the honor of knowing him.”
The lawmaker added, “I am certain that the Norfolk authorities are doing everything within their power to find those responsible for this heinous crime and I urge the local community to cooperate with the police and provide any information that will offer answers to this senseless tragedy.”
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, also issued a statement Monday offering condolences.
“On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus I would like to offer my deepest condolences to former CBC Chairman Elijah Cummings on the loss of his beloved nephew, Christopher,” the Missouri Democrat said. “While we deplore any and all acts of random violence, it is even more devastating when the violence touches someone so close to home.”