Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Norwood police shooting described
Man with knife was distraught
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORWOOD — A man shot in the chest by a police officer after he allegedly lunged at him with a butcher knife was in serious condition after surgery Tuesday.
Chris Baker, 21, of Norwood, described as mentally unstable by neighbors and relatives, was shot once by 12-year veteran Officer Mark Garner on Mills Avenue late Monday.
He faces charges of felonious assault on a police officer and felony domestic violence, Acting Police Chief John Murphy said.
The incident began with a frantic 911 call from Mr. Baker's aunt, Marcella Salamanda, at 10:11 p.m.: “My nephew! He's drunk, going crazy. He's starting to beat my (12-year-old) niece up.”
Ms. Salamanda, 36, said Tuesday her son, Brandon, 15, tried to pull Mr. Baker off her niece. Ms. Salamanda crawled out a side window of her first-floor apartment in the 1800 block of Mills Avenue, ran across the street and called for help from a pay phone.
She said Mr. Baker choked the girl and threw her against a wall. She was not seriously hurt.
Seven Norwood officers responded. When police arrived, Mr. Baker came out of the house with the blade of a butcher knife against his throat and flailing a second knife in his other hand, they said.
Frank Bates, 42, a neighbor who witnessed the shooting, said Mr. Baker “was provoking the police. He kept coming out of the (apartments') driveway, and they kept backing up. He was, like, threatening to kill himself, and the cops kept yelling, "Drop the knife! Drop the knife!' over and over again.”
Police kept backing up until Officer Garner was positioned in a corner next to the front door of a house on the east side of Mill Avenue. Mr. Baker approached the officer, who was unable to back away, Mr. Bates said.
Acting Chief Murphy said Mr. Baker was yelling, “Shoot me! Shoot me!” as he walked with the knives, and police called for a SWAT team and negotiator. Mr. Baker approached Officer Garner and said: "You are a real redneck (expletive). You'll shoot me' and lunged at the policeman from about 10 feet. Officer Garner drew his revolver and fired once. He was not cut, the acting chief said.
“The police kept their distance. They kept backing away. I thought they showed great restraint,” Mr. Bates said. “(Mr. Baker) got drunk a lot. One time he was arrested and they put him in a (police) car and he was banging his head against the window. He was high strung and went off real easy.”
Ruth Pomainville of Lincoln Avenue, another aunt to Mr. Baker, asked: “Why didn't they just shoot him in the legs?” She said Mr. Baker was distraught because his grandmother, Lilly Salamanda, who raised him, is 65 and scheduled for hip surgery today. .
“There's a lot of hurt and anger inside of him,” Ms. Pomainville said. “He is mentally disturbed. He was abused as a child. His grandma took care of him, and she is all he has. He's afraid he's going to lose her. That's what caused this.”
Janet Sester, Ms. Salamanda's sister and next-door neighbor, said Mr. Baker recently broke up with a girlfriend, had not eaten at all Monday and had been drinking.
Mr. Baker was wanted on three outstanding misdemeanor warrants, all alcohol-related, police Sgt. Steve Daniels said. He has six misdemeanor convictions in the past ranging from criminal damaging to traffic violations.
Officer Garner has a commendable police service record with no written reprimands in 12 years in Norwood. He was a Terrace Park police officer for three years before joining the Norwood force, Acting Chief Murphy said. Until Monday, he had never fired his gun in the line of duty.
In keeping with department policy, Officer Garner has been placed on three days' paid leave and has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam — routine after a police shooting.
“He is an excellent officer, well-trained in proper use of force,” the acting chief said. “He will get any psychiatric help he needs,” as well as more time off if necessary.
Police shot 26 times
Investigations launched in police shooting
Norwood police shooting described
Officer injured in skywalk attack
How to dodge I-75 construction backups
Barrels back in familiar locations
Kenwood Rd. work irks businesses
Multistate lotto link possible for Ohio
Gov. Taft battling NRA on gun bill
Public should have say on our stadium
Advisory group sought for Reds ballpark
Lebanon asks state to return buyout money
Manager suggested for future festivals
Meeting bars shelter supporters
Senate to vote today on hotel tax
Vigil held near site of Avondale shooting
Antioch students slain in Costa Rica
Classic R&B on tap for Coors Light Fest
GET TO IT
Playhouse announces ambitious new season
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Budget time lot like game show
Board approves plan for school
Butler plan calls for unity in youth-crime prevention
Cheerleaders go national
Church awaits decision on home
Commissioner backs light rail
Florence signs off on Boone master plan
Hamilton again tries new charter
Judge raises bail in Internet prostitution case
Kenton to appeal decision on meetings
Late-term abortion procedure targeted
Lincoln Heights could land Fergus
Megamall forum runs one way
'Pet resort' plans creature comforts
Sex-bias claim to go forward
TRISTATE DIGEST
Woman finds racist fliers on her door
