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By Beacon Journal staff
POSTED: 09:42 a.m. EDT, Jun 30, 2009
One of the five people wounded in an East Akron shooting Monday night has died.
Donald Baker, 48 of Talbot Street, died at 10:14 p.m. at Akron City Hospital, where he was taken following the shooting that occurred outside a residence in the 300 block of Fuller Street, said Gary Guenther, investigator for the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.
The medical examiner's office and the Akron Police Department are investigating the shooting.
An autopsy is scheduled for today, Guenther said.
One of the five people wounded in an East Akron shooting Monday night has died.
Donald Baker, 48 of Talbot Street, died at 10:14 p.m. at Akron City Hospital, where he was taken following the shooting that occurred outside a residence in the 300 block of Fuller Street, said Gary Guenther, investigator for the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.
The medical examiner's office and the Akron Police Department are investigating the shooting.
An autopsy is scheduled for today, Guenther said.
Comments
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Front Line, KC
Posted 10:14 AM, 06/30/2009
but the city is so great. Look at what the don has done. Those beautiful trees on main st. Condos that will never sell, malls empty. wow he has done so much over the last 20 years, maybe he should be re-elected.
akron, oh
Posted 10:15 AM, 06/30/2009
I hope all that voted Against the Recall are proud.
akron, oh
Posted 10:21 AM, 06/30/2009
Criminals will be criminals no matter if there are 400 hundred officers or 4,000. That is what a criminal is. The statements above just go to show how short sighted and moronic people are.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:30 AM, 06/30/2009
I'm very interested to see if we ever get those new police officers the Mayor promised. Of course, that was before the recall was voted down...so I guess we will see. Hopefully, this is one promise he will keep.
Methron, OH
Posted 10:56 AM, 06/30/2009
Do you people actually aspect, the cops would all of the sudden gain psychic powers to perdict who will commit a crime and at what time?? Would that had of happened with a new mayor or more numbers in cops??? Do you actually think criminals care and operate in correlation with whose mayor of the city and cop force????!
cops DO NOT PREVENT crime, they HANDLE AFTER MATH.
You make yourself seem as dumb as these criminals, stop it.
Las Vegas , NV
Posted 11:02 AM, 06/30/2009
Akron is fairly large...there is going to be crime. I wish all you putzes would understand that not liking the mayor, or the way things are in Akron, is a reason to NOT vote for the mayor in the NEXT ELECTION (not a recall). Instead you wasted the tax payers money on your own agenda. Again, glad I live 2000 miles away and this is not my tax money at work!
akron, OH
Posted 11:18 AM, 06/30/2009
I-germ is partially correct but missing the point. Proactive police work does in fact prevent crime, a guy walking down the street with a gun going to shoot somebody gets stopped, arrested for the gun=shooting prevented. This car being stopped driving to the drive-by, arrested occupants for weapons, no drive-by occurs.
Here's why people blame the Mayor, he's promised for ten years to increase the strength of the police dept. More cops on the streets means more time spent doing proactive police work, less time reacting to stuff thats already happened. Community policing, cops that know their district inside and out...not gonna happen when they are scrambling to fill spots all the time.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:30 AM, 06/30/2009
John Galt, I agree with you to an extent. However, a greater presence would help deter some of these crimes. This happened in broad daylight. Bad neighborhood. If the department had the resources to actively and aggressively patrol these neighborhoods, other than by cruiser, things could be different.
You're right though, the core of the problem is the character of the people. Solution: No more Section 8.
Downtown is nice though!
Department is still undermanned.
Like the name by the way. I wonder how many people get it.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:49 AM, 06/30/2009
Donald Baker was my cuz; the families don't know or have any details of this crime except it was a drive-by gone real wrong; please keep my fam in ur prayers but a few other things need to be said:
First, don't use this as a reason to blast the Mayor cause he would have been shot too if he had been there!
As long as guns are easy to get, knowone is safe!
@Immaculate-germ..."cops DO NOT PREVENT crime, they HANDLE AFTER MATH"... well said, well said and that is exactly what the families of these victims are waiting for, the police to sort things out but since this is was a drive-by in the hood and black on black this is just a case of waiting for the streets to talk and I am sure this is what just APD is waiting for.
Posted 11:53 AM, 06/30/2009
All of you who defend the DON have fallen under his cult spell, good freaking luck. You are going to need it
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:04 PM, 06/30/2009
@gildee
"the families don't know or have any details of this crime except it was a drive-by gone real wrong;"
How does a drive-by go right?
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:11 PM, 06/30/2009
What they probably meant was the folks doing the shooting didn't kill them right away.
akron, oh
Posted 02:21 PM, 06/30/2009
Whatevs, I will agree too that the department is undermanned and downtown is in flux. Also I am guessing not to many people are picking up on the name, after all "who is John Galt"
However, community based policing simply doesn't work unless the community is behind it. The same people who question police response times are the same ones who complain about intimidation during the spring sweeps.
If people in neighborhoods aren't willing to take a stand police can't do a thing. Wouldn't you realize that people should not be hanging out on a vacant porch and that they may in fact be involved in a criminal act? But instead we sit back and let these urban terrorist control our streets.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:39 PM, 06/30/2009
@Everyone-ummm-I wasn't bashing the Mayor (too easy anyway)-nor was I saying more cops would have prevented it. What I typed is what I meant. I am wondering if the mayor will come through with his promise to put the Police force up to full strength. Quite a simple statement. There seems to be a lot of the Mayor's
bootlickers/yesman/buttkissers on this site covering for the Mayor. Or is it the Mayor under several pseudonyms like: the OriginalJason, The POOP-I mean Pope, Ghost of Tom Joad-or are these his deputy Mayors? Their vehement defense of the Mayor begs the question of whether they work for him in some capacity.
Posted 03:44 PM, 06/30/2009
these shootings have nothing to do with the mayor. people will continue to rob, steal, cheat and kill no matter who is mayor.
any yes, i am proud that i voted against the recall.
Lower Akron, OH
Posted 07:23 PM, 06/30/2009
To all that voted against the recall...big freaking whoopteedo!
Posted 10:50 PM, 06/30/2009
i am proud i vote against the recall. the new officers have just finished their backround checks. when the do something about these thugs, you all cry
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:05 AM, 07/01/2009
@Nicky G..I meant that cause Don Baker died and for no reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time but I guess people would not understand that cause ur hoods are clean with closed in houses where the child abuse is hidden and the murderers kill everyone and knowone speculates bout the crime cause it is white on white.
@Use Common Sense...I am tired of ur sick post while mine get scrapped for someone like u; u r sick and need to be banned for posting lies bout people! Don Baker had no 3 pg long criminal record, just liked u posted lies bout Shawn Logan, ur scum!
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:13 AM, 07/01/2009
gildee...
I just post'em like I see'em. These may be your friends but I think they're scumbags. By the way, their records are open to the public, so let folks decide for themselves who's right here.
akron, OH
Posted 04:20 AM, 07/01/2009
gildee..its always racial to you...we all want the same thing, safe, happy neighborhoods full of safe, happy people. It's possible.
Posted 04:47 AM, 07/01/2009
I-germ is an idiot
akron, oh
Posted 07:17 AM, 07/01/2009
gildee, no offense, but you need to start working on that GED.
akron, oh
Posted 07:22 AM, 07/01/2009
"A drive-by gone wrong".
Something about that statement will have me chuckling all day. Here's another from another thread by the same person:
"He went and posted the guy's arrest record", as if everyone's got one.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:03 AM, 07/01/2009
@Gildee-It always turns out to be a racial thing with you. Get over it
cleveland, oh
Posted 08:13 AM, 07/01/2009
@GLIDEE,live by the gun die by the gun! I looked up Donald Baker born in 1961, sorry but he IS trash, his record IS over 3 pages, and he IS a career criminal-crackhead that has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, you get what u give!
akron, oh
Posted 09:27 AM, 07/01/2009
i send my prayers to the faimly may god heal your wounds
Posted 09:52 AM, 07/01/2009
For those of you that don't know....Donald Baker was my older BROTHER. He had his faults but who does not. The important thing is that he will be missed by all of his family members. One thing about it and two things for sure.....every knee will BOW and every tongue will CONFESS. R.I.P. "BROSKI"
Posted 10:05 AM, 07/01/2009
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions....and it is easy for you to say that he was a career criminal BUT he had a good HEART. I dont care what he was. He was my BROTHER before he was anything else.
Posted 10:09 AM, 07/01/2009
Thank you African Princess. Keep praying.
Richfield, OH
Posted 10:24 AM, 07/01/2009
Akron needs to unleash the police on the thugs running around the city. I know that I won't visit Akron until the gov't steps up and runs the bad guys out of town.
Posted 10:27 AM, 07/01/2009
@WSP...Define what a THUG is ?? Is it defined in the Webster's Dictionary? You should be QUICK to listen and SLOW to SPEAK.
Jefferson, Oh
Posted 10:30 AM, 07/01/2009
Two things we cannot change...death and who our relatives are.
We can, however change how those events occur. If we really love our brothers and sisters, we would do everything in our power to change their errant ways.
U, OH
Posted 10:48 AM, 07/01/2009
We need to start cracking down on guns. Close the gunshow loophole, no ID, no gun.
AKRON, OH
Posted 11:06 AM, 07/01/2009
@Gildee. Everytime I read one of your posts im glad Im not you. You live in a disillusioned world where for some reason robberies, muggings, drive-bys, and drug deals are the standard and not seen as wrong. You for some reason believe that "Thug Life" is the way to go. Most of the posters here all live in the Akron area, so we are all dealing with these issues. So please answer me one question? Why will the people in these rough neighborhoods not cooperate with police(there were multiple people questioned by police who were given various descriptions of the vehicle involved with this drive by).you posted on another thread that rumors were flying on the street. Why are the people all talking about this amongst themselves; why not share that information with the police. Maybe you want a nice safe neigborhood to live in where your crack dealer acts like Mr. Rogers, but that is not reality. Drug dealers and street thugs are not good people.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:21 AM, 07/01/2009
My prayers are with the Baker family at this time.
No matter what people may say while typing and hiding behind a computer screen - If it was their family they would be hurt/upset as well. It's very expected these days to come online and see people "say" or "type" things that are mean and hateful, Again sorry for your loss. Death is not a joke,its final,and the losers are those who don't realize that.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:58 AM, 07/01/2009
@stuck - Well, if they talk to the police, the cops will make arrests before retribution can be made. I feel awful for the Baker family, but the fact is that a life of crime usually ends this way. This whole "get money or die tryin'" BS makes me sick.
Gildee and LeeAnn - you say "no one is perfect" but I guarantee you most of the upset people posting here don't have criminal records. Having an arrest record isn't the norm - it's evidence of a life spent trying to get money without trying to work. It's disgusting and shameful. If you think carrying a gun is a good way to get money, you're not a good person. You don't have a good heart. You're a criminal. And, like it or lump it, the law and most people will stand against you. If you don't like it, that's tough. You'll wind up in jail or in a grave sooner or later. That's life in Akron, Ohio, and America. Period. Now quit justifying thug life and start trying to solve the problem.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:33 PM, 07/01/2009
@WSP - you are hilarious. Brutal, but hilarious.
AKRON, OH
Posted 12:36 PM, 07/01/2009
I agree with you AmericanWoman. We do live in a very messed up society. It is s truly disgusting fact the those witnesses would rather resort themselves to retaliatory violence, and then blame society for any number of reasons(poor, hungry, jobless, homeless, ect) and then have a defense attorney(whom would probably spontaneously combust upon touching hallowed ground)fight tooth and nail to stay out of prison, than to do the decent thing and try to help the police put these men behind bars.
Could it be that some of the neighbors buy their drugs from the shooters, and ratting on them would dry up their sources?????
AKRON, OH
Posted 12:45 PM, 07/01/2009
@Miss Momo. If Donald Baker were my family I would be sad, and in mourning. I would share any possible information with the authorities. I would also question the motives of a family member standing around outside in what is known a rough neighborhood, with high amounts of drug traffiking taking place. I would question his decision to associate with petty street thugs. I would also be upset that his behaviors tarnished the family name. Im sure that his family and friends are upset, they have every right to mourn, but NO Right to take vigilante justice,as Nothing2do would apparently not have a problem with. It is the responsiblity of police to find a suspect and charge them, and the duty of the citizens(IF they want to leave in a less crime riddled neighborhood) to assist the police force in every way possible. Hey witnesses that doesn't necessarily mean standing outside and pointing fingers at neighbors( and thus inviting violence unto themselves)it could mean calling from the privacy of your home.
akron, OH
Posted 12:51 PM, 07/01/2009
but that would violate the "keep it real/no snitching rule"! Which has been an outstanding success so far...if watching your family members drop like flies is success.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:21 PM, 07/01/2009
@Proud --"Donald's record speaks for itself. He was by no means an innocent bystander! One down a million more to go."
A person's court record has nothing to do with the value of their life. If that was the case..we would all be dead! Because none of us on this board are perfect! When you become perfect, maybe then you can Judge him
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 03:21 PM, 07/01/2009
I have to say it again..Guns dont kill people,PEOPLE kill people!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 03:34 PM, 07/01/2009
People it's called "EMPATHY" some people on this forum need to get some...because those of you making ignorant comments over the loss of life are no better than those people you think your so far above.
My prayers go out to those who have lost their loved ones to violence. I also know that as long as a person is alive there is an ability to change ones life. Once we are dead all hope is gone, and that does not mean the family doesn't mourn the loss just the same.
Posted 03:36 PM, 07/01/2009
@ Miss Momo:
Uh, there's a difference between being perfect/not perfect and having a record/not having a record.
Quite honestly, you can use someone's court record as a barometer of their value to society. The longer the record and/or the more heinous the crimes, the less value to society.
Sure, that's a base level equation, but I hope you get the point.
Posted 03:39 PM, 07/01/2009
Oh, I forgot to add:
We are all created equal, but it is our life choices that determine if we stay that way.
akron, oh
Posted 08:38 PM, 07/01/2009
(common sense), You are a person who will have a lot of bad luck in life, for not understanding the grief a family goes through. Like I said before get down on your knees and ask the Lord to give you peace, because you are evil, evil, evil, and the Baker family are friends of mine and a lot of other people, while you are posting he was a bad person, you do not know anything about him, except what you hear. Like I said before, you probably are a murderer yourself.
go to God and go now.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:28 AM, 07/02/2009
daughtersandra...
"and the Baker family are friends of mine and a lot of other people"
Well Sandra, you know what they say, if you hang around losers you become a loser, sorry about your luck.
By the way, do you work for a living? Do your friends have medical insurance? I'm just wondering who's going to pay for all those medical bills your idiot friends are racking up?
"you do not know anything about him, except what you hear."
It's what I read that bothers me and it's "public" record for all to see and judge. Thanks for caring.
akron, oh
Posted 07:54 AM, 07/02/2009
@ daughtersandra "Like I said before get down on your knees and ask the Lord to give you peace"
God only helps those who help themselves. That's the problem with the urban community, they expect god and prayer to solve everything....
How's that working out for you?
Look for and updated total later today.
AKRON, OH
Posted 08:05 AM, 07/02/2009
@MissMomo
I believe there is a difference between the value of a soul to god, and the value a person brings to society. We are created equal in Gods own image. I can agree with that. On a lesser note our constitution grants us as citizens the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That being said as we all have equal rights to the pursuit of happiness; People who infringe on other peoples rights to a pursuit of happiness(i.e. rounding up your boys into and SUV and spraying bullets into a small crowd of people and ending the life of a man (who may simply have been at the wrong place at the wrong time)) forfeit their rights to coexist with the rest of society freely. What I mean to say is that if we were to all work together to punish those who commit these crimes(even if that means saying goodbye to a friend or relative) wouldn't we all be safer??
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 10:10 AM, 07/02/2009
@GILDEE,could you please enlighten me on how the proper drive way is to "go down"?
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 10:11 AM, 07/02/2009
oops sorry gildee I meant DRIVE BY..guess im not use to typing it
akron, oh
Posted 11:09 AM, 07/02/2009
"Police said an exchange of words preceded the shooting."
It wasn't a drive-by! Read all the stores and its pretty obvious this was premeditated.
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 11:29 AM, 07/02/2009
I agree John,,I was just messing with Gildee..It was 100% premeditated if you ask me
