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Thursday, March 28, 2024

A Gainesville teen was taken into custody on suspicion of shooting a man in the chest.

Emanuel Baker, 18, was charged with the first-degree felony attempted premeditated murder Thursday.

Baker and his friend Charles, 15, stopped at a Chevron March 27 around 3 a.m.

Charles allegedly walked up to a man in a crowd and shoved him before throwing a Checkers cup at him, according to the report.

Baker allegedly pulled out a dark handgun from his waist and shot the man through the chest, according to the report.

The two immediately ran away toward Baker’s vehicle.

Gainesville Police Department officers made contact with them as the teens entered the car, noticing a tan handgun in Charles’ pants, according to the report.

Law enforcement then located Baker’s gun, which tested positive for gunshot residue. They also found another gun in the parking lot.

Both teens denied being the shooter, according to the report.

The shot man was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Checkers’ surveillance cameras allegedly caught the shooting and shows the two wearing the same outfits law enforcement saw Baker and Charles in.

After advising the teens of their Miranda rights, Baker allegedly said he ran because he heard a gunshot and was scared.

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Charles said they argued with the man earlier in the night and were trying to “squash the beef” with him, according to the report.

Officers were later able to talk with the man April 4, when he said he remembered being followed all night and hearing the boys call his name.

His cousin allegedly gave him the gun officers found in the lot for protection, he said. The cousin later confirmed a group of boys was taunting the man throughout the night, according to the report.

The man and the teens were on bad terms after a mutual friend died in a traffic accident a few years prior, said the man’s girlfriend when interviewed by law enforcement.

Baker was taken to Alachua County Jail April 6, with his bond set at $1 million. In addition to the felony charge, he also violated probation for a 2022 charge involving cashing fake checks, according to court records.

His next court date is not yet scheduled as of Friday afternoon.

Contact Aidan Bush at abush@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @aidandisto.

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Aidan Bush

Aidan Bush is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2024 Engagement Managing Editor of The Alligator. In his free time, he likes to listen to music and go kayaking.


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