DETROIT (WXYZ) — Ray Baker Jr. was leaving the Exxon gas station on Fort Street late Thursday night, close to midnight Friday, when he was shot several times by a man in a ski mask, who had just gotten out of a white Chrysler van. The 46-year-old died at the hospital.
An innocent bystander was gunned down leaving a gas station on the city’s southwest side Friday. Police believe he was caught in the middle of an attempted gang execution Tonight, we’re hearing from his family @CrimeInTheD @wxyzdetroit @detroitpolice pic.twitter.com/OybmgdDQVz
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) September 1, 2019
Detroit Police believe he was caught in the middle of an attempted gang execution. The intended targets according to police, were a man and woman inside a Ford Taurus parked at the gas station on the city's southwest side; the woman was shot in the leg and the two sped off shortly after shots were fired.
“Please call Detroit police. Because you would do this if this happened to your family," said Ray Baker's youngest brother Zachariah Baker.
Baker said his family is heartbroken, especially losing a man they call looked up to.
“He was never about that life. For him to lose his life like this is such a tragedy," he told Action News.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? @detroitpolice say he and others in the white van fired shots Friday night. The man carrying the assault rifle fired some 40 rounds according to police. Baker was hit multiple times and died at the hospital. Intended targets were inside a parked car. pic.twitter.com/YSVOqccU3p
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) September 1, 2019
Ray Baker had just moved back to Detroit from Port Hurton to spend time with his kids and grand kids. According to his family, he was buying cigarettes at the gas station when he was killed.
“It was devastating for us. I couldn’t believe it when it happened," said his sister Tovada Baker.
“He’s very peaceful, very gentle. The family would call him a gentle giant," she said of her brother.
Baker's family is asking anyone who may have seen something to call police. You can make an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
"It dawned on me I can’t call him no more," said Zachariah Baker.
Ray Baker Jr. leaves behind three kids, two grand-kids, and several siblings.
Detroit Police said the two people believed to be the intended targets of the shooting are not cooperating with investigators.
