On June 19, 2023, at approximately 11:32 p.m., deputies from the Apple Valley Sheriff's Station responded to a reported shooting at a residence in the 20500 block of Nisqually Road in Apple Valley, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 52-year-old Dennis William Finch in the front yard, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Finch was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail assumed responsibility for the investigation. Through their inquiries, detectives identified 22-year-old Keith Baker, a resident of Apple Valley, as the primary suspect. Baker was known to Finch prior to the incident. Subsequently, Baker turned himself in to authorities and was taken into custody. He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, where he remains held without bail.
The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, and authorities have stated that no further details are available for release at this time. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or via their website at www.wetip.com.
In the wake of his passing, an obituary for Dennis William Finch was published, noting his birth on July 23, 1970, and his death on June 20, 2023. Funeral services were held on July 19, 2023, at Sunset Hills Mortuary in Apple Valley.
This tragic event has undoubtedly impacted the Apple Valley community, leaving many seeking answers as the investigation continues.
