Akim Duchard-Davis, the teenager who was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding a moped last week in West Baltimore, was featured last year in a promotional video for the Orioles’ City Connect uniforms.
Officers responded around 9 p.m. Oct. 30 to the 1200 block of McCulloh Street in the Upton neighborhood and found two male teenagers were riding a moped that collided with a Jeep, Baltimore Police said Oct. 31. A 17-year-old boy was injured in the crash and listed in stable condition, and the driver of the car fled on foot, police said. A GoFundMe by Duchard-Davis’ aunt says he was 15.
“Akim was an intelligent 15 year old young teen who had his whole life ahead of him. His energy was like no other. When he was around you were sure to have a great laugh,” Crystal Davis said on the page raising money for funeral costs. “To know that we will never be able to experience his contagious smile and laughter ever again and who he would have become is heartbreaking.”
The video from May 2023 features Duchard-Davis riding a bike around Baltimore handing posters that read “You can’t clip these wings” to a man playing guitar on his front steps, a family in Patterson Park, a jogger in Federal Hill and other Baltimoreans. The phrase is from a poem by Kondwani Fidel, who narrates the video.
“We were devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Akim, who we came to know during our City Connect video project,” the Orioles said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
The GoFundMe lists a combined $2,550 in donations from anonymous Orioles employees, as well as $1,000 from Kerry Watson, the Orioles’ executive vice president of public affairs. As of Wednesday night, the fundraiser exceeded its goal of $11,000.
In a letter to the school community, Rashawna Sydnor, Digital Harbor High School’s assistant principal, said Duchard-Davis was a “was a bright, compassionate student who touched the lives of many in our school community.”
His alma mater, Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School, said on social media that it is hosting a fundraiser for funeral costs at school Thursday.
“Akim attended Thomas Johnson from [prekindergarten] to eighth grade and was known for lighting up the hallways with his smile. He will be greatly missed by all of us,” the school said.