Donald Baker is fighting for his life after the shooting Sunday at a gas station at E. 16th Street and Gladstone Avenue. The shooting occurred during a prayer vigil for a teenager shot a day earlier at the same gas station.
When Stephanie Moore said goodbye to her husband Sunday on his way to work, she had no idea he would be a victim of a violent shooting.
"I kissed my husband, told him to have a good day at work and then I get this phone call," she said.
Later, her cell phone rang with the caller on the other end, telling her that he was in an accident and had been shot. Stephanie rushed to the hospital where she had to wait about 45 minutes for an update on how her husband was doing after being rushed to the emergency room.
"Donald is kind of laid back, a loner and stays to himself. A hard worker and has two jobs and, at the time of the incident, I am aware he had just gotten off his second job," Moore said.
After work Sunday, Baker stopped at Conoco to get gas, where family and friends gathered around a memorial for 16-year-old Theothus Carter. Police found Carter shot dead at the gas station Saturday night.
Police say Baker accidentally hit another car at Sunday's vigil and things got heated. Someone shot the 53-year-old twice and took off, along with others at the vigil.
One of the bullets grazed Baker's head, the second struck him in the body.
"The 16-year-old, they were not that fortunate to still have their child. My husband, God spared his life. He is still here and I am thankful that God has given him another chance, even though he can't feel his legs right now," Moore said.
Doctors are closely monitoring Baker, who is in an induced coma, as of Monday afternoon. The bullet lodged into his body is in a dangerous place and removing the bullet is risky. Doctors are not ruling out that the shooting could leave him paralyzed for the rest of his life.
"How can you just shoot somebody, knowing that you shot somebody, and then you are just walking around scot free, like you didn't do anything?" she asked. "I don't know what happened. I was not there. But it could not be that bad for you to just shoot somebody, leave them there for dead and not come forward."
Baker and his wife are surrounded by lots of family. His wife is in constant contact with their church pastor. Immediate family and relatives across the country have also called to check on the couple.
Since both shootings are ongoing investigations, police would like to hear from anyone who can provide them with leads or information on the shooters.
People who want to help can anonymously call the 24 hour Crime Stoppers Hot Line at 317-262-TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest, you can earn up to a $1,000 cash reward with no questions asked.