ST. LOUIS — The reward for information in the shooting death of a former CBC football standout was doubled Wednesday, months after the deadly shooting.
In July, 5 On Your Side reported the tragic story of Damion Baker. Baker was killed in the early morning hours of July 3 in a parking lot just south of Busch Stadium across from Paddy O’s Sports Bar. The scene was located on the 800 Block of Cerre street.
For more than a month, CrimeStoppers was offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. On Wednesday afternoon, that reward was increased to $30,000.
Brandon Flinn, the business manager for Laborers Local 42, said the union offered an additional $15,000 reward to bring the killers of their member, Baker, to justice.
The labor union said they have a proud history of providing the finest representation to their membership. Also, their membership is actively involved in member initiatives, community politics as well as volunteering for local charitable causes.
The St. The Metropolitan Police department said Baker and a woman were shot multiple times. The woman told responding officers that a man tried to steal the couple’s car. As Baker was fighting the man off, another person started shooting at the couple.
Baker did not survive his injuries and died at the scene. The woman was treated at the hospital and survived.
“This is a tragedy that has to be resolved and the killers brought to justice,” Flinn said. “Our members unanimously approved this additional reward.”
Flinn said the union wants to see justice for Baker.
An’namarie Baker, Damion’s mom who was on the verge of tears, said she thinks it’s incredible what the union is doing.
“Damion put himself in front of the girl to protect her when they started shooting,” she said. “He was a hero.”
She also said Damion was a good, young man and loved construction work.
Henry J. Baker, her husband who passed away, was also a union laborer. DeVon Gleason, who is Damion’s brother, is also a union member with Local 42.
According to a police statement, due to the time and location of the shooting, it is believed that there are likely numerous witnesses regarding possible suspects who allegedly fled the scene of the parking lot.
Rich McLaughlin, assistant business manager at Local 42, said the union knows the police are overburdened in St. Louis.
“...but to have to wait 18 weeks for a procedure that could help bring these killers to justice is just not right…,” McLaughlin said. “We hope this additional reward will help someone to consider doing the right thing and come forward.”
He was a member of the undefeated 2014-2015 CBC State championship football team. He played college football at Holy Cross Worcester, Massachusetts and was back in St. Louis to start a career in construction, joining the labor union as an apprentice.
His mother has launched the “D-Bake” Foundation, named after her son’s workplace nickname, to help young men train for and develop life skills that can translate into a career through the union’s apprenticeship program.
Damion was laid to rest July 12.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police department's homicide division at 314-444-5371 or leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.