A half-million-dollar bond was issued Wednesday for an El Dorado man who appeared in 35th Judicial District Court on numerous felony charges, including first-degree murder, for a fatal shooting that occurred last fall.
Ira L. Baker, Jr., 25, had been wanted in connection to the Oct. 7 shooting death of 35-year-old Darris C. Davis of Little Rock.
El Dorado police had responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Stuart and Elm and found Davis lying on the ground in front of a residence in the 200 block of Stuart.
Davis had sustained a gunshot wound to the face and was later pronounced dead.
Another man — 29-year-old Demeon Westbrook of El Dorado — was shot in the thigh. His injury was not life-threatening.
Baker was identified as the shooter in the incident, in which three other arrests were made.
Westbrook; Zachary C. McGhee, 20, and Ervin D. Johnson, 34, all of El Dorado, also face charges of first-degree murder, first-degree battery, committing a terroristic act, possession of a firearm by certain persons, committing a felony with a firearm and an offense committed in front of a child, which carries a penalty enhancement, in connection to the incident.
Baker had been on the run since the shooting occurred and he was apprehended Jan. 25 in Longview, Texas, by the U.S. Marshals East Texas Violent Crime Task Force with assistance from the Longview Police Department.
Longview officers had stopped 18-year-old Larenzeuna L. Downs on a traffic violation and arrested her for possession of marijuana, less than 2 ounces. The officers noted that Downs had been smoking marijuana in the car and was arrested for possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces. Authorities in Longview were also aware that Downs had ties to Baker and following Downs’ arrest, they took Baker into custody at her Longview residence, where authorities said Baker had been living.
Downs initially provided misleading information about Baker’s whereabouts and was consequently charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, Longview police said.
Baker was cleared for extradition this week.
On Tuesday, officers with the El Dorado Police Department and Union County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Longview and transported Baker to the Union County Jail.
Sgt. Chris Lutman, public information officer for the EPD, said that Baker had several other outstanding warrants for his arrest on “a variety of charges,” including drug offenses.
“Some of the narcotics charges stem from the homicide investigation,” Lutman said.
Baker faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree battery, possession of a firearm by a certain person, felony with a firearm, trafficking methamphetamine, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of drug paraphernalia and penalty enhancement for offenses committed in the presence of a child.
While being held in the Union County Jail, Baker was served Wednesday with a warrant on unrelated misdemeanor charges of failure to appear, speeding and enforcement of fines.
During Baker’s first appearance hearing Wednesday, district court Judge Jack Barker issued a cash-only bond of $500,000.
Baker remained in the UCJ in lieu of bond Wednesday evening.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.