In the early hours of a Sunday morning in May, the life of 18-year-old Asia Symone Baker was tragically cut short in the Hyde Park neighborhood of St. Louis. A recent student at Hazelwood East High School, she was looking forward to her graduation, with dreams of becoming a teacher or a makeup artist. Known for her passion for dancing and her sweet, caring nature, Asia had just celebrated her eighteenth birthday in March and was described by her family as a beloved daughter and sister.
On May 7, 2023, at approximately 2 a.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2100 block of Branch Street. Upon arrival, they discovered a devastating scene. Asia Baker and another 18-year-old woman, Aaliyah Gillom, were found deceased from gunshot wounds. Two other young women, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, were also shot and critically injured. One of the survivors, who was pregnant, had to undergo an emergency C-section.
The investigation revealed that the young women had been brought to the location by two men. One of these men was identified as 36-year-old Eddie Love. According to court documents, Love and his accomplice had allegedly taken the women to St. Louis to go to a bar, but instead engaged in marijuana transactions, leaving the women in the vehicle. An altercation ensued, and it is alleged that Love opened fire on the group of young women.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Eddie Love was arrested and faced federal gun and drug charges in connection with the incident. Federal law does not include murder charges, but he was held responsible for his role in the events that led to the deaths of Asia Baker and Aaliyah Gillom and the critical injuries of two others. The community mourned the loss of the two teenagers and expressed outrage over the senseless gun violence that took their lives.
