Didn’t mean to shoot the woman, suspect says, according to affidavit

Antonio Ronchester Baker - Submitted photo
Antonio Ronchester Baker - Submitted photo

A man arrested on battery charges after allegedly shooting two people late Friday reportedly admitted to shooting at the male victim, 70, but claimed he didn’t know he hit the younger female victim, according to an affidavit released Monday.

Antonio Ronchester Baker, 48, was arrested at his residence at 3510 Albert Pike Road shortly before 11 p.m. Friday and later charged with two felony counts of first-degree battery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

He was initially held on a $50,000 bond, but the bond was later increased to $150,000 and he remained in custody Monday. He was reportedly set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Hot Springs police responded to 105 Federal St. regarding a shooting and were told en route that a possible suspect in the shooting was Baker.

Officers found Maxine Dexter, 46, and James Peppers, 70, inside the residence. Dexter had an apparent gunshot wound to her left arm that was non-life-threatening, but Peppers had been shot in the chest.

Both were transported to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs where Peppers was rushed to surgery and at the time of the report his condition was listed as serious. Dexter was treated for her injury and told detectives a known person, identified as Baker, had come to the residence and shot her and Peppers.

She said Peppers began shooting back at Baker and he fled the scene.

Baker was located less than an hour later at his residence on Albert Pike and when officers made contact with him they noted he had an apparent gunshot wound to his right shoulder. Baker was transported to National Park Medical Center where he was treated and later released and booked into the detention center shortly before 5 p.m.

A witness on scene at the Albert Pike residence pointed to a green Chevrolet Tahoe and said it belonged to Baker and that he arrived in it earlier armed with a handgun that he left inside the residence on a bed.

Blood could be seen inside the Tahoe from outside so it was towed to the police department to be processed for evidence. Officers also located a handgun inside and seized it along with other items of evidence from the residence.

Before being taken to jail, Baker was brought to the police department for questioning and after being read his rights, he reportedly admitted to going to the residence at 105 Federal St. where he made contact with Dexter and began shooting at Peppers.

Baker reportedly told police he did not know he had shot both Peppers and Dexter. The affidavit did not indicate a motive for the shooting.

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