Ray Baker Jr., a 46-year-old man, had recently moved back to Detroit, Michigan, from Port Huron to be closer to his children and grandchildren. His family described him as a peaceful and gentle individual, a gentle giant who was excited about spending more time with his loved ones. He was looking forward to this new chapter in his life, one that was tragically cut short on the night of August 29, 2019.
That evening, Baker made a simple trip to an Exxon gas station on Fort Street to buy a
pack of cigarettes. As he was leaving, he unwittingly found himself in the middle of a violent scene. A man wearing a ski mask emerged from a white Chrysler van and opened fire with an assault rifle, unleashing a barrage of approximately 40 rounds. Baker was struck multiple times in the hail of bullets. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Detroit Police investigators believe that Ray Baker Jr. was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of an attempted gang execution. The intended targets were believed to be a man and a woman who were in a Ford Taurus at the gas station. The woman was shot in the leg, and the pair sped away shortly after the shooting began. Their lack of cooperation with the police has hindered the investigation into the shooting that claimed the life of an innocent man. In the wake of this senseless tragedy, Baker's grieving family pleaded with the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for his death. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in the case.
