BALTIMORE, MD. (THECOUNT) — John Dierker, a respected Baltimore jazz musician and longtime Towson University music instructor, has been identified as the man fatally stabbed Tuesday on a bicycle trail in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park in Baltimore City, Maryland.
Dierker, 62, was found with multiple stab wounds near a bicycle on the trail after Baltimore Police officers responded to a reported cutting in the 4200 block of North Franklintown Road shortly before 4 p.m. Nov. 10. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect. Homicide detectives are investigating the killing, which remains active and ongoing.
Dierker was an accomplished improvisational musician whose work helped shape Baltimore’s experimental and creative music scene for decades. A multi-instrumentalist, he played saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet and collaborated with numerous musicians throughout his career.
He was a longtime member of Lafayette Gilchrist’s band, The New Volcanoes, and also performed with groups including Microkingdom, Quartet Offensive and Lubbock. His collaborations included work with Peter Zummo, Jad Fair, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich.
Towson University confirmed Dierker had served as an adjunct faculty member in its Department of Music since 2009. The university expressed sadness over his death and offered support to those affected by the loss.
The killing has shaken people who live near the park and regularly use its trails. The scene was near a trail entrance off Franklintown Road, an area used by cyclists, walkers and other visitors.
Residents described the park as a popular place for outdoor recreation and said the violence has left them concerned about safety. Some said they were particularly troubled by the possibility that someone could be attacked while using a public trail.
Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive or released information about a suspect. Police have also not announced whether they believe the attack was targeted.
Anyone with information about Dierker’s killing is asked to contact Baltimore Police homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
The reported scene was in the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park area of west Baltimore, near the Winans Meadow trailhead and the 4200 block of North Franklintown Road. The map location below is approximate because police have not released an exact scene address.
Google Maps: Approximate location of the reported stabbing near Franklintown Road
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