Las Vegas police cannot determine who fired fatal shot that killed toddler during shooting
Quinton Baker, 28, and his three-year-old son Kentre were killed during a police shooting in Las Vegas in February. Police bodycam footage released this week shows Baker approaching officers with a gun held to Kentre, after a reported domestic dispute with his girlfriend, Raneka Pate; the case has renewed questions about how the child died.
Police say Baker fired four shots after officers opened fire. Officials have now said they cannot determine whether a police bullet or one fired by Baker killed Kentre, despite earlier claims that Baker shot his son. Pate and relatives are seeking answers; Baker had previously played college football for Portland State and Western Kentucky.
In short
- Quinton Baker and his three-year-old son were killed in a Las Vegas police shooting.
- Officials cannot determine whose bullet killed Kentre.
- The child’s mother and relatives are seeking answers.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Officers faced an immediate threat: footage shows Baker holding a gun to his young son, and police say he fired four shots after they opened fire. The strongest case for the police response is that officers had to act quickly to try to stop a potentially imminent killing, while the uncertainty over which bullet struck Kentre does not by itself establish that the officers acted improperly.
The case against
The inability to determine who fired the fatal shot leaves a grave question about the consequences of the police response and warrants clear, independent scrutiny. Even when officers face an urgent threat, the family and public have a strong interest in understanding whether the use of force increased the danger to the child and why officials earlier said Baker shot him.
Explained simply
Police were called to a Las Vegas home in February after a reported domestic dispute involving Quinton Baker and his girlfriend, Raneka Pate. Baker approached officers with a gun held to his three-year-old son, Kentre, and police opened fire.
Baker and Kentre both died. Police say Baker fired four shots, but investigators have not been able to establish whether a bullet from Baker or from an officer killed the child.
The case raises questions about how the shooting unfolded and how responsibility for Kentre’s death can be determined. Pate and members of the family are seeking answers.
Art Culture Football Sport World
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Handsome football player Quinton Baker came out as gay to girlfriend moments before using toddler as human shield during bloodbath that saw both killed”.