Arthur John Baker III, a 33-year-old white male, was tragically shot and killed on September 22, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois. Baker was the maintenance man and janitor at Moses Montefiore Public School. On the day of his death, he was outside the school helping a city sanitation worker pick up the building's garbage when a gunman opened fire. Baker managed to get back inside the school, shut the door, and alert the principal before collapsing from his injuries.
The gunman, identified as
Clem "Clemmie" Henderson, 40, went on a shooting rampage that resulted in the deaths of four people, including Baker. In addition to Baker, the victims were Irma Ruiz, a 40-year-old police youth officer, John Van Dyke, a 41-year-old auto parts store owner, and Robert Quinn, a 26-year-old store employee. Henderson was eventually shot and killed by Officer Gregory Jaglowski, who was wounded during the incident.
The incident caused a significant impact on the community, with many remembering Baker as a quiet, hard-working family man. He was married to Eileen "Lee" Mahoney and had two sons, Arthur IV and Mark Baker. Baker's death was widely covered in the media, and the community mourned the loss of a dedicated employee and family man.
There were no further arrests or litigations related to Baker's death, as the gunman was killed on the scene by the police officer. The case was closed with the death of the suspect, and no additional suspects were identified.
Baker was laid to rest at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois. His funeral was attended by family, friends, and members of the community who came to pay their respects.
In summary, Arthur John Baker III's death was a tragic result of a violent shooting spree by a gunman who was subsequently killed by police. Baker's legacy as a dedicated worker and family man lives on in the memories of those who knew him.
