Photo: City of Hyattsville Police Department
The city announced Wednesday that Mayor Kevin Ward had died the day prior “from an apparentself-inflicted gunshot wound.” Additional details about his death have yet to be released.
In the city’s official statement, Mayor Ward was lauded as “a valued and trusted leader and a fierce advocate for all the people of Hyattsville.”
“The City knows that Mayor Ward was a well-connected member of our tight-knit community and that this is difficult news,” the statement said.
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Ward, who previously served as president of the Hyattsville City Council,first took office as mayor in 2020after then-mayor Candace Hollingsworth resigned from the position, FOX 5 DC reports. He was officially elected mayor in May 2021 and was an advocate for affordable housing and supporting working-class families.
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County Executive Angela Alsobrooksoffered her condolences on Twitter. “We are so heartbroken and devastated to learn of the passing of Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward,” she wrote, calling Ward “an outstanding leader” that “deeply loved his City.”
City Council member Edouard Haba said Ward had acaring personality, NBC Washington reports. “He always liked to ask about my children, how they’re doing. He called them ‘buddies,'” Haba recalled.
Maryland Governor Larry Hoganalso shared his sympathies on social media. “The First Lady and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward,” the Republican leader wrote on Twitter.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Ward family and the people of Hyattsville as they grieve this tragic loss,” he added.
State delegates Nicole Williams and Alonzo T. Washington, who serve Maryland’s 22nd district, chimed in as well,sharing their sadnessover Ward’s death.
“Mayor Ward was more than just a municipal leader in my District, he was my friend,” Williams said, WTOP reports. “My heart is heavy right now. His partner and his children are in my prayers right now.”
“Kevin was a wonderful friend, father, husband, and fierce advocate for the city’s residents. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed.”
City Council Vice PresidentRobert Croslinwill serve asinterim mayorfollowing Ward’s death, according to WTOP and FOX Baltimore.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
