INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - It's been almost a year since 53-year-old Donald Baker was shot at an east Indianapolis gas station. There were dozens of people at the gas station at the time, too.
They participated in a vigil in memory of a 16-year-old boy who officers found shot the day before at the very same gas station.
Donald Baker said, “It's affected me. I can't move around.'
Life for Baker will never be the same. He's home now after spending about 10 months in the hospital after getting shot. He’s been fighting to recover both physically and emotionally.
“It's affected me mentally because I can't move.' said Baker, “I can't do nothing by myself."
Baker's wife Stephanie shared several photographs of him in a coma during part of his hospital stay. The pictures help show his months of recovery.
The shooting last summer at the Gladstone and East 16th Street Conoco station. Baker stopped to get gas and got into a fender bender which escalated into gunfire.
Family and friends of 16-year-old Theothus Carter had already packed the gas station parking lot for a special vigil in his honor. They still maintain a street side makeshift memorial with teddy bears, photos and flowers at the gas station.
Metro Police found Carter shot dead at the Conoco Station the day before. No one has been charged for his murder according to family members.
Whoever shot Baker fled the scene. His family suspects someone attending the vigil may hold the key to bringing the shooter to justice.
Stephanie Baker said, “My husband is lucky to be here. But God was not ready for him to go yet. I give God the honor and the praise."
Stephanie has to provide 24 hour care for her husband because he can’t be left alone. She has also taken on the task of making sure the household bills are paid.
For months Stephanie has held down two jobs. They had to have a wheelchair ramp installed on the front entrance of the house. Unfortunately doctors had to amputate one of Donald Baker’s legs. His original prognosis included the possibility of him being paralyzed for the rest of his life. Now Baker spends a lot of time on his cell phone looking at social media sites.
Their daughter, Sierra Miller, has also been a huge asset to his care needed around the clock.
They hope someone is brave enough to come forward about the shooter, even if it's been a year.
“If it was you or someone you care about you would want someone to step up," said Sierra Miller.
Miller hopes that once Baker is well enough to use a motorized chair he can spend time outside with his grandchildren. They serve a huge motivation to his recovery right now.
Baker himself is staying optimistic about the shooter ever coming forward. He, too, believes there are people who know exactly who shot him.
Donald Baker said, “If they know they know and they should tell. Look at them, It could have been one of them. It could have been you."
Baker's family is convinced someone who attended last year’s vigil at the gas station for Carter knows something about the shooting.
If you have any information that could help in this case call crime stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest you will receive a cash reward of up to $1000.00 and if police confiscate a weapon during the arrest your reward money will increase. The Crime Stoppers Hot Line is 100-percent confidential.
