In the early evening of May 30, 2016, a dispute at a gas station on U.S. 49 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, turned fatal, claiming the life of 48-year-old Madison Sims. An argument between Sims and another man escalated, tragically ending when Sims was shot. He was privately transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Despite medical efforts, Sims succumbed to the gunshot wound and was taken off life support on June 2, 2016.
The male victim was a Black/African American resident of Hattiesburg.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect, Andre Antonio-Rapheal Baker, who was 24 years old at the time. On June 7, 2016, Baker surrendered to authorities at the Forrest County Sheriff's Department. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sims's death. At the time of the incident, Baker was already out on bond for a separate residential burglary charge, which led to the revocation of his initial $500,000 bond for the murder charge.
In early 2019, Andre Baker's trial for the murder of Madison Sims commenced. During the proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence that the shooting was a premeditated act stemming from the argument at the gas station. Baker's defense did not dispute that he shot Sims but argued for a lesser charge of second-degree murder or manslaughter. After a three-hour deliberation, the jury found Andre Antonio-Rapheal Baker guilty of first-degree murder. Following the conviction, the judge sentenced him to life in prison.
