Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr., who was shot and killed by Baltimore police on Tuesday, June 17, was a popular arabber, who sold produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members.

Abdullah allegedly shot a veteran police officer in the foot as three officers opened fire on him, according to a preliminary report from the Maryland Attorney General's Office. Abdullah, who was shot in the exchange of gunfire, was pronounced dead at the hospital.   

"When we all stopped arabbing, BJ kept going. He kept it going," said Marqueatia "Weedy" Watters. "He kept the name going. Like, he kept it going." 

Tony, known as "the Melon Man," said he worked as an arabber for Abdullah's family, which owned several horses.

"All my life, I worked for his father, BJ's father is Bilal Sr., a brother, and an uncle. So, you know he had plenty of horses," Tony said.

Attorney General's preliminary report

A Preliminary investigation report from the Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (AG) revealed that Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) officers in an unmarked cruiser were in the area when they encountered an adult man standing at the corner, carrying a crossbody bag on his back.

The man began walking away and the officer followed, according to the AG's report. 

The man was wearing a crossbow bag on his back when police attempted to stop him near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street.

He reportedly led officers on a chase, and during a struggle, shot an officer in the foot, according to police. 

Police said that as an officer grabbed the man, a gunshot was fired, which prompted the officers to take cover. That's when the man allegedly pointed a gun at the three officers, who shot the man. 

The officer is recovering after he was released from the hospital following surgery, police said.   

"A man ran from officers, and a brief truffle ensued," Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said. "At some point, the male broke away, multiple officers returned fire, striking the man."

Video shows community reaction

Video shows the intense moments between neighbors and police moments after the shooting.

WJZ returned to the neighborhood where neighbors were tight-lipped but were visibly angry.

"I can tell you, he will be missed," a neighbor said.

The AG's office says that BPD will be releasing body camera footage by its policies. 

What is an arabber?

Arabbing has a long history in Baltimore as a source of fresh produce in food deserts across the city.

An arabber is a street vendor who sells fruits and vegetables from a horse-drawn cart. They used to be common in cities along the U.S. East Coast.

However, arabbers are working to stay active on the streets of Baltimore.

Holden Warren, the former president of Baltimore's Arabber Preservation Society and co-founder of , a nonprofit dedicated to healing and horse culture, said he was working with Bilal "BJ" Abdullah Jr. to revive arabbing.

"He was one of the last real hardcore arabbers that was still doing it, about four or five years ago, meaning he had daily routes," Warren said. "He had customers along those routes, and the routes went all over the city."