In the early morning hours of July 2, 2015, Rickey Daniel Baker, a 26-year-old male, was walking to the bus stop on Longcreek Drive in Columbia, South Carolina, a daily routine to get to his job in public relations at Dick Smith Automotive Dealership. Tragically, on this particular Thursday, his journey was violently cut short in what was described as a random act of violence. As the sun was rising, Baker was shot multiple times in the upper body during an attempted armed robbery.
Despite his injuries, he was able to dial 911, screaming 'I'm shot! I'm shot! I'm shot! Help me!' into his phone before losing contact with the operator. First responders found him lying unresponsive in the roadway and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The investigation into Rickey Baker's murder quickly led Richland County sheriff's investigators to seek public assistance in locating a gold 2005 or 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer seen in the area around the time of the shooting. This appeal proved fruitful, and just five days after the fatal shooting, two 18-year-old men, Maurice Jaquwan Miller and Shykiem Universal Smith, were taken into custody and charged in connection with Baker's death. The vehicle they were in had been stolen several days prior to the murder.
In August of 2016, on the second day of his trial, Maurice Miller pleaded guilty to the murder of Rickey Baker. Evidence against him included DNA linking him to the stolen vehicle, surveillance footage, and testimony from friends who were with him at the time of the crime. During the sentencing, the court heard the heart-wrenching recording of Baker's 911 call. Described by his family as a happy and energetic person who loved to make people laugh, Rickey's life was senselessly stolen. The judge, calling the act of murder 'life stealing,' sentenced Miller to 40 years in prison for his role in the killing. Baker's mother, though grieving, told the court she would pray for Miller's soul.
