Laborers 42 offers additional $15,000 reward to bring killers of member to justice

CrimeStoppers initially posted $15,000 reward; Local 42 boosted that to $30,000

By ED FINKELSTEIN
Publisher

In an effort to find the killers of union brother, Damion Baker, Laborers Local 42 is doubling the reward money for information that will help bring the killers to justice, Local 42 Business Manager Brandon Flinn announced.

The union is adding $15,000 to the $15,000 already being offered by CrimeStoppers for information that will help find the killers of Baker, 25, a Local 42 member 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.

“This is a tragedy that has to be resolved and the killers brought to justice,” Flinn said. “Our members unanimously approved this additional reward. We all want to see justice for Damion.”

WHAT HAPPENED
In the early morning hours on July 3, Baker was escorting a young lady to her car after socializing at local bars. As his car was closer, they drove to her car where he dropped her off. Suddenly, a man appeared and attempted to steal Damion’s Jeep. Damion pulled the suspect out of his car. A fight ensued when suddenly three others appeared from behind a building and began shooting. Baker was fatally shot, the young women was struck also, but survived.

“I think it’s incredible what the union is doing,” said Baker’s mother, An’namarie Baker, on the verge of tears. “Damion put himself in front of the girl to protect her when they started shooting. He was a hero.”

“He was a good young man and loved construction,” she said of her son. Her deceased husband, Henry J. Baker was a union laborer and Baker’s older brother, DeVon Gleason, is a Local 42 member.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8847 (anonymously) or St. Louis Police Homicide Division at 314-444-5371.

“Due to the time and location of the occurrence, it is believed that there are likely numerous witnesses (about) potential suspects fleeing a public parking lot,” a statement from the police said.

Baker, a member of the undefeated 2014-15 CBC state championship football team, was buried July 12. He played college football at Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He returned to St. Louis to make a career in construction and joined Local 42 as an apprentice.

“We hope this additional award will inspire someone to do the right thing and come forward to bring some peace to this family by helping the police bring these killers to justice,” said Local 42 Assistant Business Manager Rich McLaughlin.

An’namarie Baker has launched the D-Bake Foundation to help young men train for, and develop life skills that will help them achieve success in life as well as serve as a pipeline to Local 42’s apprenticeship program. It’s named after her son’s on-the-job nickname, “D-Bake.”