ST ANN, Mo. — Funeral services were held Wednesday for the former CBC football standout who went on to play college ball.
Damion Baker, 25, of Florissant, was shot and killed south of downtown St. Louis over the Fourth of July weekend.
Baker’s visitation was scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lighthouse Baptist Church in St. Ann. A celebration of life service began at noon.
Loved ones of Baker clung tightly to their memories of him during his celebration of life.
"I just wanted people to know that man, his core was good," Baker's brother said.
His brother said Damion's way of life should be a model to everyone.
"He didn't see color, he didn't see money. Damion just wanted everyone to live life," Baker's brother said.
No matter the relationship to Baker, several community members said they are trying to make their own sense of his death. Some are already looking at what to do next.
"Gun violence and getting rid of it has just risen to the top of my list. And just watch me go to work," said NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt.
Others said they are holding onto what they still have now, and that they are calling for justice for Damion, or for "D Bake" as they call him.
His brother said he'll do everything he can to carry on Damion's name.
"My mom used to call us her double d's, double d's. Me and Damion always wondered what that means," he said. "So we told ourselves at a young age it meant dedication and determination."
He said he's continuing to live with his own dedication and determination, in Damion's name.
Just after 3 a.m. on July 3, police said Baker and a woman were shot near 7th and Cerre streets, south of Busch Stadium. It happened near Paddy O’s and Kilroy’s.
A police source told 5 On Your Side the woman told responding officers that a man tried to steal the couple's SUV. As the two men were fighting, another person fired shots at the pair. Both victims were shot multiple times. Paramedics pronounced Baker dead at the scene.
Baker helped lead the undefeated CBC football team to a state championship in 2014. He went on to play college ball at Holy Cross.
“If there are friends or other people that were in the area, that night, to help ease the pain in my chest – help us out in finding out who did this,” Baker’s mother, Annamarie, told 5 On Your Side.
St. Louis police said anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 866-371-TIPS. Those tips are anonymous and can lead to a cash reward.