On December 14, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, 14-year-old Devin Baker was fatally shot by a resident who alleged he was attempting to break into her home. The incident occurred in the early morning hours when the woman, identified as 25-year-old mother of four, Aleah Wallace, reported hearing someone trying to open a window leading to her 8-year-old daughter's bedroom.
Fearing for her children's safety, Wallace fired her recently acquired firearm, striking Baker, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prior to the shooting, Wallace had contacted Fort Worth police around 1:22 a.m. to report an attempted burglary at her residence. Officers responded, took a report, and left the scene. Shortly thereafter, Wallace reported a second intrusion attempt, during which she discharged her weapon. She stated that she had experienced multiple break-in attempts in the weeks leading up to the incident, prompting her to acquire a firearm for protection.
Devin Baker was an eighth-grade student at Rosemont Middle School. His mother, Latoiya Landers, described him as a "fun-loving boy" who excelled in art, performed well academically, and had recently joined the basketball team. Landers expressed disbelief over the circumstances of her son's death, stating, "I know my child. I know him and it doesn't add up."
Following the shooting, Wallace faced eviction from her subsidized housing due to possession of a firearm, despite there being no explicit prohibition against firearm ownership in such housing. She expressed concern about her family's future, stating, "I feel like I'm back at square one. I was there for six years, and now I don't know what to do."
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Wallace has been cooperating with the investigation, and the case has been referred to a grand jury for review. The Fort Worth Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
