FRESNO - On Thursday, May 2, 2019, at approximately 1950 hours, Northeast Patrol Officers from the Fresno Police Department were dispatched to 4300 block of East Buckingham Way regarding a victim of a shooting. The 911 call was placed from the Buckingham address and when officers arrived they discovered a deceased male inside the residence. The male was identified as 42 year old Elden Baker III. Officers contacted the mother and stepfather who both stated that the stepfather shot Baker in self-defense.
Detectives learned that during the disturbance, Baker become enraged and began hitting himself in the face and slamming his head into the refrigerator. Baker turned his anger towards his mother and began assaulting her while forcing her to the floor. It should be noted; the mother has a medical condition which could become life threatening if attacked in such a manner.
The stepfather who was identified as 61 year old Steven Perry attempted to physically protect his wife, but his efforts were ineffective. The stepfather armed himself with his handgun and stated he ultimately fired to protect both his wife and himself from the violent attack. Both the mother and stepfather sustained visible injuries as a result of the attack.
This case has not yet been determined to be self-defense and is being investigated as a Homicide. Perry who is a former Reserve Police Officer with an out of county agency was released at police headquarters with no charges being filed against him at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this case is being asked to call the Fresno Police Department. The Homicide Unit will have to complete all follow up investigation to determine if this Homicide is justified.
Anyone calling with information can remain completely anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP. You may also contact the Fresno Police Department – Homicide Detectives Loren Kasten at 621- 2443 or Manuel Romero at 621- 2451 with information regarding this investigation under Fresno PD Case# 19-29145.
