Robin Godwin: Hundreds Gather at Locust Point Vigil for Alex “Albo” Wroblewski

On Saturday night, hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil held outside of Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School in Locust Point for Alex “Albo” Wroblewski who was killed Tuesday morning during a robbery on Lawrence St. Three suspects are currently in custody in Atlanta, Georgia.

Wrobelewski was 41 years old and a Locust Point native. He was a bartender at The Rowhouse Grille in Federal Hill.

A stage was set up where friends and community members shared their condolences and memories of Wroblewski.

“Alex had a larger than life personality,” said Lisa Hopkins, Wroblewski’s friend of 12 years. “You knew when he entered the room. He touched so many people in such a positive way. He was one-of-a-kind.”

Hopkins shared stories of Wroblewski walking friends home and to their cars to make sure they got home okay. She also described him as a vibrant sports fan who often yelled at the television during Ravens games or during the Olympics when a United States athlete was competing.

“He would chant U-S-A, pace, yell, and walk out of the room,” said Hopkins. “When you were in the presence of Alex, you were guaranteed to laugh, sometimes uncontrollably.”

“In the days and weeks to come when the dust settles, it’s going to be important for all of us to continue sharing stories and laughing at all the crazy things Alex did and said over the years. Hopefully the laughter will help us all to begin to heal. Alex would want that for us,” said Hopkins. “And he’d definitely love that we can’t stop talking about how wonderful he was to all of us.”

Hopkins finished speaking with the poem “Until We Meet Again.”

Brian Zimmerman, Senior Pastor of Streetlite Christian Fellowship, led several prayers and called on those in attendance to pray for his parents Al and Mary Kay.

“Jesus tells us never to pay back evil with evil, he tells us to love,” said Pastor Zimmerman. “Let’s not be dragged down to level that evil would want to take us. Rather let us rise above in memory of Alex and love like we’ve never loved before. I know that in light of Alex’s passing, he would want us all in light of his death to birth the biggest outbreak of love in Baltimore, beyond anything we have ever seen.”

Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Kevin Davis shared a story about meeting with writer and producer David Simon at The Rowhouse Grille when first moving to South Baltimore after becoming Commissioner. He was wearing sunglasses and a hat just above his eyes. Simon asked Davis if he was in disguise, he replied, “I guess sort of.” Simon told him that “you don’t need that here, everyone wants to work in partnership with the police.”

“I took my hat off and my glasses off and have fallen in love, not only with the city but with this part of the city,” said Commissioner Davis.

“I know you won’t let the actions of three people or 13 people or 20 people make you fall out of love with this community,” said Commissioner Davis. “And the fact that you are here tonight just tells me that your resolve to see things to a better place is something that your police department, I promise you, will work with you hand-in-hand until we get there.”

“My heart breaks like yours does,” said Commissioner Davis. “You are here for a reason. Stay, fight, work harder, work with us, because I promise we are going to keep working with you.”

“I am incredibly sad and heartbroken, but what I see out here tonight here is beautiful,” said Councilman Eric Costello from the stage. “I wish you guys could see it from here.”

“In no other neighborhood in the city do we run generations deep like you do in Locust Point to come out and care for each other, to care for your neighbor, to help each other out,” said Councilman Costello. “What I see tonight, how beautiful it is, makes me have hope that our city is going to use this moment as an opportunity to come together, and find a way to get through this.”

A message was read from Wroblewski’s good friend “Big” Lou Smith. “He was the hyper guy that yelled at the TV. He was the true mayor of South Baltimore,” the speaker said followed by a loud roar from the crowd.

“He had no enemies, he was the best human being I’ve ever known,” said Smith. “As we share stories and memories today about him, just remember to end it with a smile. We love you baby!”

The Rowhouse Grille owner Patrick Dalghren said that no one loved Alex more than he did. He said that he’s known Alex for 11 years, but after one year he felt like he’d known him his whole life. He thanked everyone for coming out.

Poems were also read in memory of Wroblewski.

The night ended with dozens of paper lanterns being released into the sky while music played through the speakers.

Family and friends have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the following link http://events.lls.org/MD/AlexWroblewski. Wroblewski was a fundraiser for LLS as a way of honoring his late uncle, John Wroblewski.